11-25-2019, 01:59 PM
THE LIVING WATER
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday, November 25, 2019
- International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
TOPIC: BEWARE OF THE SECOND LOOK
Read 2 Samuel 11:1-5
1. And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
2. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
3. And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
4. And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
5. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.
MEMORISE: Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king's house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing and the woman was very beautiful to behold (2 Samuel 11:2)
EXPOSITION
David was one of those who violated innocent, vulnerable women in the Bible. As we internationally call for the elimination of violence against women, today, let us look at the serious factor that led David into this heinous crime, and how to avoid it.
First look is not sin, until the second one is allowed. God has given man the ability to look but choose not to see. Has it ever happened to you, that someone referred you to, e.g. a pole along the path you are taken for years to your house, and surprisingly, it was only then you discovered you hadn't even notice it? We have the power to look and not see. This can be harnessed to overcome temptations.
David mistakenly looked at the bathing Bathsheba. He didn't deliberately launch out to watch the bathing woman, unlike those who set out from time to time to watch pornographic media. David hadn't sinned, because he had not yielded to the temptation. It only became sin, when he beheld her supposed beauty the second time (v. 2). Had he not taken the second look, he would have escaped the disaster that followed.
Had Eve not given the fruit a second look (proper, probing, admiring look) (cf. Gen. 3:6), humanity would have escaped the precarious situation we are in today. Thank God, Jesus didn't make that mistake (Matt. 4:1-10). He quickly resisted the deceiver before the second look could mess Him up. Follow His example (Jas. 4:7-10; 1 Pet. 5:8-11). That is our victory (cf. 1 Cor. 15:57). Run away from dangerous zones (Proverbs 4:14,15).
PRAYER POINTS
1. Ask God for the grace to stop giving attention to those things that can hamper your cordiality with Him.
2. Lord, help me to bridle every part of my body, my eyes inclusive, so that I don't keep running after those things You hate.
3. Pray that God should flush out those things we are accommodating in His Church against His desire.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Ezekiel 16:52 - 18:27; James 3:5 - 4:7
Author: CAC WORLDWIDE
Remain blessed!
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday, November 25, 2019
- International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
TOPIC: BEWARE OF THE SECOND LOOK
Read 2 Samuel 11:1-5
1. And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
2. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
3. And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
4. And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
5. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.
MEMORISE: Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king's house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing and the woman was very beautiful to behold (2 Samuel 11:2)
EXPOSITION
David was one of those who violated innocent, vulnerable women in the Bible. As we internationally call for the elimination of violence against women, today, let us look at the serious factor that led David into this heinous crime, and how to avoid it.
First look is not sin, until the second one is allowed. God has given man the ability to look but choose not to see. Has it ever happened to you, that someone referred you to, e.g. a pole along the path you are taken for years to your house, and surprisingly, it was only then you discovered you hadn't even notice it? We have the power to look and not see. This can be harnessed to overcome temptations.
David mistakenly looked at the bathing Bathsheba. He didn't deliberately launch out to watch the bathing woman, unlike those who set out from time to time to watch pornographic media. David hadn't sinned, because he had not yielded to the temptation. It only became sin, when he beheld her supposed beauty the second time (v. 2). Had he not taken the second look, he would have escaped the disaster that followed.
Had Eve not given the fruit a second look (proper, probing, admiring look) (cf. Gen. 3:6), humanity would have escaped the precarious situation we are in today. Thank God, Jesus didn't make that mistake (Matt. 4:1-10). He quickly resisted the deceiver before the second look could mess Him up. Follow His example (Jas. 4:7-10; 1 Pet. 5:8-11). That is our victory (cf. 1 Cor. 15:57). Run away from dangerous zones (Proverbs 4:14,15).
PRAYER POINTS
1. Ask God for the grace to stop giving attention to those things that can hamper your cordiality with Him.
2. Lord, help me to bridle every part of my body, my eyes inclusive, so that I don't keep running after those things You hate.
3. Pray that God should flush out those things we are accommodating in His Church against His desire.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Ezekiel 16:52 - 18:27; James 3:5 - 4:7
Author: CAC WORLDWIDE
Remain blessed!