Risk Misplaced

2 Samuel 11-12; Psalms. 51; Matthew 23 

“In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites…But David remained in Jerusalem. One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing…”

2 Samuel 11:1, 2

In a season of war, David stayed home. Perhaps he needed rest; however, he was restless at night. Instead of worshipping the Lord as he often did, David walked around his palace roof. Perhaps he liked to walk under the stars and talk to God. The sight of a beautiful woman bathing at night got his attention and his need for risk-taking, and conquest kicked in. David could have slept with several wives or concubines that night, instead he chose another man’s wife.

Why?

His curiosity, need for adventure, and capacity for risk made him vulnerable to adultery. What the tempter could not accomplish with a bear, a lion, or a giant, he succeeded on a midnight stroll. The tempter distracted David from his mission and got him offside with God.

Are we investing our capacity for adventure, risk, and curiosity in an eternal direction, or in self-indulgent directions?

David’s story tells us the consequences.

“Lord Jesus, I offer you my capacity for risk, adventure, and conquest, for your kingdom purposes and mission.”