Fri. May 3rd. 2024.
“At the return of the year, at the time when kings go out, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. At evening, David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. From the roof, he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to look at.” 2 Sam. 11:1-2.
In earlier times preachers used to talk about “backsliding” and “backsliders.” A “backslider” is a Christian who has fallen away from his commitment to Jesus Christ. The dictionary defines the verb “backslide” this way: “To relapse into bad habits, sinful behaviour, or undesirable activities.” Spiritual decay is a gradual process. Satan is sly, and his tactics are subtle. Even as the onslaught of many diseases can be insidious, the wasting that occurs in the heart of the backslider may be nearly imperceptible. The backslider does not suddenly wake up one morning and go out and commit adultery. Over a period of time, he may have become lax in his thought life, or entertained fleshly desires.
King David watched Bathsheba undress, and soon it was but a little step for him to give expression to the imagination of his heart. Here is the all important question. Was there ever a time when you were nearer to God than you are now? Was there ever a time when you obeyed God more? Was there ever a day when you won more souls than you are winning today? Was there ever a time when you were more completely absorbed in the Lord’s business? If there was ever a time when you were nearer the Lord than today, you are a backslider.
You have slid back from that close intimacy with God, from that high place of blessing which you once had. God’s word to the backslider is “Repent,” which means a change of mind that leads to a change of heart that leads to a change of behaviour that leads to a change of life. To repent means that you’re going one direction and then you turn around and go in the opposite direction. As for the importance of repentance, consider this: If we put off repentance to another day, we have one day more to repent of, and one less day to repent in. Don’t gloss over today’s devotional, the message remains repent if you have abandoned your fervency.
FURTHER READING:
“David sent some messengers to get her. She came to him and he had sexual relations with her. (Now at that time she was in the process of purifying herself from her menstrual uncleanness.) Then she returned to her home. The woman conceived and then sent word to David saying, “I’m pregnant.” 2 Sam. 11:4-5.
“When the time of mourning passed, David had her brought to his palace. She became his wife and she bore him a son. But what David had done upset the LORD.” 2 Sam. 11:27.
DECLARATION:
Dear Abba Father, I thank You for Your mercies over my life. I know You have great plans for my life. You are directing my steps. Though I may not always understand how, I know my situation is not a surprise to You. You will work out every detail to my advantage. In Your perfect timing, everything will turn out for my good. I declare my dreams are coming to pass. They will not be stopped. I am meeting the right people, experiencing the right things and manifesting the right results. My commitment to Christ and the truth remains unmatched in Jesus name, amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Psalms. 14:1-7.
Psalms. 15:1-5.
Psalms. 16:1-11.
Psalms. 17:1-15.
QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
“God Does Not Consult Your Past To Determine Your Future. You Should Never Make Your Past Your Future.”
The Fortress Int’l Church, 2 Floor 10 Coker Road, Opposite Chicken Republic Ilupeju Lagos, Nigeria.
email: info@thefortresschurch.com.
