Walking Wise

David walked wise before the Lord and he was blessed with God’s favor.

And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him. Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them. 1 Samuel 18:14-23

That was until David fell into temptation.

And it came to pass in an evening, that David arose from off his bed, and walked on 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 on. 2 Samuel 11:2

What happened to cause this change? Lets take a look at what it means to walk wisely with the Lord.

Wisely in Hebrew is ώâkal and it means to make or act circumspectly with intelligence, prudence and understanding, skillfully, considerately and self controlled.

What triggered David to sin and fall away from the Lord? What caused him to behave so foolishly?

Was it really his lust for Bathsheba or was it something even deeper?

The manifestation of our sin is only a symptom of a deeper heart problem that we have. So we need to take a closer look at our heart. Lets look at David’s sin a little deeper.

When David had all the women he could ever ask for why did he want this one? Being beautiful is not really why David was tempted. He was surrounded with beautiful women. He could have any virgin in the land and even in another land.

Was David’s sin really a pride issue? After all why should a Hittite have something that he didn’t? That guy is only a Hittite not a King like me! He doesn’t deserve a beautiful woman like that! I’m the king of Israel for goodness sake! That woman ought to be mine!

Wasn’t there someone else who said that?

Blinded by his gifting. Wanting more than he was given? Jealous because a mere mortal was given stewardship over the garden of God? Wanting to change the order of things? Who was God to tell him that he didn’t deserve a higher place?

I will ascend up high!
I will walk on the mountain of God!
I’m just as gifted as that guy! Why look at how beautiful I am?

Yes, I’m inclined to think that it was really pride that caused David to fall.

Pride comes in many forms but if there is one thing that will make us fall flat on our backsides its self exaltation.

Thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to think! (Romans 12:3, Proverbs 3:7)

Envy is the rottenness of the bones. It will eat away at the heart like a cancer. (Proverbs 14:30)

Godliness with contentment is great gain the Bible tells us. (1 Timothy 6:6)

But I am so gifted! You might be inclined to say. I have a theology degree after all and not to mention a powerful anointing!

I deserve to be promoted! I worked hard to be where I’m at!
Why should that guy have a higher position than me?

That’s just the point! Our gifts can blind us to our real position in the Kingdom of God. One of being a servant to the most high God!

Do you really think God needs us to get his work done? Do we see our importance as being essential in the big scheme of things?

When David walked wisely before the Lord he was blessed. When he submitted to doing God’s work God’s way he prospered.

That’s where the blessing lies! Being small in our own eyes and great in faith towards the one who deserves all the glory and the honor! Pride will always lead to a fall! (Proverbs 16:18)

Pride is the root of discontentment. Not being joyful in where we are at!

Sometimes it takes a fall like David had to make us see our foolishness. God is gracious however because when we recognize our sin and confess our pride to him, he will restore us. (1 John 1:9)

The Lord restored David and he wants to restore us too.

Then like David we can be content and say. “The Lord is my portion says my soul and my cup.” Psalms 16:5

Be content and walk wise before the Lord then you will be blessed in all you do!