Everybody Knows who King David is. We all grew up with the stories of David. From his harp, to Goliath, to Bathsheba etc..... If you go to church often enough, you know that God calls David a man after his own heart. So how did David feel when Nathan came one day to have a chat with him?
(II Samuel 12) We know how David felt, we also know how he reacted and we know that through it all, even though there were horrible consequences for his sin, God stayed with David and he persevered.
I bring this up, because it gives me a lot of hope, that God will stay with me and keep me no matter where I've strayed and when I've faltered.
My favorite kind of read is alternate history... I Love what ifs! From the South winning the civil war to Hitler winning WII, it is fascinating to imagine what if....which brings me to the story of Jack.
What if my Father's friend Jack was stealing from the cookie jar, my father finds out, but promises Jack he won't tell anyone. He thinks this is the best way to keep Jack's family happy and he truly cares about both Jack and his family.
However, I am close with my mom and he tells me about Jack in confidence, because he knows I would never betray the secret and a father and son share many things that the rest of the world doesn't have any business knowing.Later down the road, I steal from my Father's cookie jar, and get caught...... I am humiliated because of my sin! I am devistated by the look in my father's eye and the knowledge it brings.
The knowledge that the betrayal was horrible for Dad to deal with. That he was hurt very badly by what I had done. What a horrible situation to be in.
Now what would I do if Jack went about shouting about my mistake to everyone he could in an attempt to hurt, humiliate and embarrass me?!? Inside the Rage at the injustice! The anger at a world where Jack would think he had the right to do this!!!!
Yes, we all know this makes Jack is a hypocrite, but if we tell anyone we know this, even Jack himself, we have sinned against our father once again, because we broke his confidence.
What would you do?!?
If you were strong enough to do "the next right thing" you'd turn the other cheek, keep your mouth shut and not break your Dad's trust. But how would that feel? Would it frustrate you. Would your sense of right and wrong be offended? Would you try to figure out how to tell the jerk, Jack, that you know his secret and point out that you could hurt him any time you chose to?
You could do that, but in the end, how would that help you or your Father? How would a loving God feel about you. Probably much like the judge Jesus told about in the parable of the Unmerciful Servant in Matthew 18: 21-35. You see it would hurt everyone else and would be very much like any other selfish sin......This is all a vague story and I hope nobody ever recognizes the "real life" analogy it pertains to.
Believe me, I am not a King David, and I will never be in a position to stand in judgment over other people. Actually this situation reminds me that many people look at the church and folks who attend church as hypocrites. There are a lot of people who attend church, who sit in exalted positions within the church that have the (WRONG) opinion, that they have "arrived". That they are better than the folks who don't go to church. It just so happens they are the people who give God's bride a bad name!
I didn't mean to step up on a soap box there, I just thought about it and needed to remind myself of the situation for two reasons. One, so I don't walk down this road with God and forget where I came from then turn around and look down at people who are not as far along as me with some sense of superiority to make myself feel better. Secondly, so I remember not to get angry with the people who point at the church and call her a hypocrite. Besides most people who have an angst against the church, have real life problems or convictions that make them feel that way.We should pray for them. I should pray for Jack. Period!
I think this has probably been a blog that is too vague for the casual reader. I apologize for that, but I hope it has brought some insight into your life and if you are reading this. It's best not to be Jack. It's also good to remain humble because Paul said it best when he said "the weaker I am the stronger God is" (paraphrased) Well I'm pretty weak! I'm so very thankful for the grace of God and the stregnth and peace he has bestowed upon me.
My walk today has been rough, I'm exhausted, but I can look back and see real progress... I'm wondering why there are only one set of footprints, though........
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