“In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel… But David remained at Jerusalem. It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, ‘Is not this Bathsheba,.. the wife of Uriah the Hittite?’ So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. Then she returned to her house. And the woman conceived, and she sent and told David, ‘I am pregnant.’ ..But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord. And the Lord sent Nathan to David.” 2 Samuel 11:1-5,27-12:1
“Therefore I will judge you, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.” Ezekiel 18:30-32
David was brilliant in his element as a military strategist, and went out of his way in diplomacy and kindness to others. But he also let spare time, his ‘right to a day off,’ get the best of his sin nature. With one turn of taking it easy, and one lustful look, the widely-respected king started a downward spiral that resulted in adultery, betrayal, deception, and murder. God in His mercy made him miserable, and extended an invitation He extends all through scripture, to which David would RSVP with repentance. (2 Samuel 12:1-13; Psalm 32:3-5)
R.S.V.P. Repondez s’il vous plait. “Respond if you please.” God’s grand invitation comes to us in daily choices. With every fleshly urge, mind game, morsel of gossip, ease of a lie, we choose how to respond. Jesus says Come. Turn. Cast it away. Flee the devil. Don’t even begin to step on the path of death. Many devices, entertainments, idols, and philosophies, are vying for our attention, and to heed the prophets’ warning is to stop, listen well, consider, and boldly RSVP “Yes” to Jesus. I will choose You, I will follow Your ways and not those of the world. Emotions and fatigue lure us to doubt, despondency, comparison, fear, confusion, anxiety, and when these feelings run amok, distorting our thinking and arousing unhealthy actions, we can RSVP to the Lord of lords, “Yes.” I accept that You love me, You made me for high purposes, You died in my place and redeemed me unto everlasting life, hope, and peace that is unlike anything the world gives. What makes us tarry and not respond? (John 10:10; 14:27; James 4:7)
“Come, ye sinners, poor and needy
Weak and wounded, sick and sore
Jesus ready, stands to save you
Full of pity, love and power
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms.” ~Joseph Hart (1759)
Father, at every beckoning of the world, may I turn to RSVP to You instead.
As the rain and snow 