October 23, 2022
DAVID: FAILURE IS NOT FATAL
October 23, 2022
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Have you ever had the opportunity to help someone who felt they were a total failure? How did you know what to say? Can you share the outcome?
Has the current series on the life of David encouraged you to “chase after the heart of God” for yourself? We read of David overcoming obstacles so often, as one trial passes and another enters his life, each time turning the character of a godly young man into a godly king. Today we study the worst period of his life as he loses his focus on obeying God to gratify his own desires. We agonize as we see David fall into sin, then wait for his deep repentance, confession, and restoration. David—mighty man of God—seemed to forget God’s commands so easily. This must be a lesson to us to be on guard every moment lest Satan “take advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
Focal Passage: 2 Samuel 11, 2 Sam. 12, and Psalm 51.
Failure happens even when chasing the heart of God
- Read 2 Sam. 12:7a. David is now with Nathan, the prophet. Where has he been the past few weeks, and what has happened? As David began his descent into this period of sin, how do you think he justified himself? Read Psa. 119:1-3. How had he let himself slide from the godly writer to the lustful adulterer? Do you justify yourself when you sin?
- Why did David try to cover up his sin? What would he have been thinking at this time? What happens to one’s thought processes when being under great stress?
- Read vv. 9-10. How did David react before he realized Nathan was speaking of him? What punishment had he brought on himself and his family that would never leave his house?
- If a man like David was not immune to Satan’s attacks, how do we stand a chance to be holy and obedient at all times? How can you be “forearmed” because you are “forewarned”?
Failure is destructive
- Read Eph. 4:30. How had David grieved the Holy Spirit? He had hurt his relationship with God and his family. What did he need to do in order to get himself out of this pit? Read Psa. 51:1-4. Repentance is agreeing with God that what you have done is horrible sin. What did he name his sins in these verses? What blessings of God did David beg Him to grant?
- When David prostrated himself with grief over his sin, did God stop the consequences? Why would He not do that as part of the “forgiveness package”?
- Sin will always have consequences. What are some results that we know David suffered for years after this one evening of “sinful pleasure” and subsequent cover-up actions?
- What is the “ripple effect”? Why is that a good way to explain the lasting results brought about by a time of disobedience to God?
Failure is expected
- Read Romans 3:23 and Eph. 2:1. Is there anyone who has not sinned? Why? Read Psa. 51:5. How did David see himself now? If he had seen this short video clip of his life many years before, what would he have done in order to avoid it? How hard do you try to avoid sin?
- If it is to be expected that we will fail at times, how can we overcome a feeling of helplessness? If it is part of our nature, why will God hold us responsible for our actions? Read Romans 6:12-18. What does Paul tell us we must do?
- Read Prov. 24:16. If you are striving to please God, what will you do when you fall?
Failure should be followed by repentance
- Read Psa. 51:6-14. David—the man after God’s own heart—was still human and sinned; yet as soon as he was confronted in each instance, what did he immediately do? As soon as he fled to God in repentance, how did God respond? Read 1 John 1:9. Do you do this?
- What does God do once you have genuinely repented from your sin and turned back to Him? How can you overcome seeing yourself as broken? Can He still use you? How?
Close:
There are many lessons to be learned from this very sad part of David’s life and which can save us much grief if we absorb them. We saw David—the king—stay at home at a time when kings always went forth to war. He should have been with his army, and yet he remained home. “Idle hands are the Devil’s workshop.” This old saying holds much truth. If you want to see someone prone to trouble, look for the person with nothing to do. They’ll find it.
Don’t ever assume you will get to the point where you are immune to slipping into sin. 1 Cor. 10:12 tells us to be careful if we think we cannot fall, because we can. Know this, Satan has kept tabs on you since your birth. He knows every weakness, every habit, and every bait that can bring you down and he will not hesitate to use what he knows when you are at your weakest or when you least expect it. David is the prime example.
You probably never drive your car without first being aware of any system function that could warn you of problems. You are alert to your motor and even to subconsciously knowing the hum of your tires on the pavement at the speed you tend to cruise. In the same way, all your spiritual antennae should be kept daily on high alert, being constantly aware of what is going on around you that could tempt you or trip you up. You must be so fueled by the word of God that you instantly detect a nuance in your world that could cause you trouble. “Hide God’s word in your heart that you might not sin against God” (Psa. 119:11). This is vital to your soul.
Even prepared, life will attack, and you might snap, although you had no plan to. As soon as you come to yourself, cry out to God! Beg Him to forgive you for whatever you did, then turn from it. With a broken and contrite heart for having lost your way for a time, throw yourself on Him, holding tighter than ever. He will never despise your true repentance, He will cleanse you, and one day you will be able to teach others who fall.