Just God

The weekend was a trying time, but during that I've been reminded of God's justice. I won't go into all the details, but I was angry this weekend over something that happened in the past. The human side of me wants to enforce vengeance and justice. But I'm reminded that it is not my place, nor within my authority to do so. And after learning a lesson from the last time, this time as God says, "Let Me handle it," I'm listening. And I know that God will bring about justice.

This morning as I was reading in 2 Samuel God showed me that no one, not even a King, can escape His justice. At the end of 2 Samuel 11 we see that David's actions were evil in the sight of the Lord (verse 27). And as I read this I began to notice the things that God saw as evil.

First, God sees it as evil when a leader neglects his duty. 2 Samuel 11.1 says, "Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem." David should be out on the front lines with his troops, leading them in battle. David is a warrior as we've seen over and over in scripture, but for some reason, maybe he had gotten used to the comforts that came with being king, he remains in his palace.

When leaders shirk their responsibilities they are asking for trouble. When we fail to be where we are supposed to be, doing what we're supposed to do, we set ourselves up for trouble. We open ourselves up to great temptations. That is what happens to David. One night he can't sleep so he gets up to walk around the palace roof. While there he sees a woman bathing, and then evil act number two occurs.

Second, God sees it as evil when a leader uses his position to take advantage of others. 2 Samuel 11.4, "David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her; and when she had purified herself from her uncleanness, she returned to her house." David is in position for trouble. He's in a situation, and rather than acting righteously, he falls into temptation. He has the woman, another man's wife brought to him, and he uses his position as king to take advantage of her.

God hates when leaders use their power for their own gain. God places people in authority so that they may bless and serve others. Leaders are given power to protect the people they lead. They are given authority to improve the lives of the people they lead. And it is evil when that power is corrupted and abused. And when position is abused to benefit the leader it often leads to this third evil act.

Third, God sees it as evil when a leader uses his power to try and cover up his sin. 2 Samuel 11.5-17, is the story of David's attempt to cover up his sin. He sends for the woman's husband and tries to get him to lay with her so that everyone will think the child is his. But her husband is a righteous man, and refuses any comfort and pleasure while his brothers in arms are at war. Since this plan backfires, David goes to plan b. He uses his power as king, and orders the man put at the front lines, and then abandoned so that he will be killed.

After that, David appears to be a good king. He brings the man's wife into his home and makes her his wife. He appears to be comforting her and taking care of her in this difficult time. To all the nation he has covered it up and gotten away with everything. But God knows what really took place. And all men, including kings, are subject to God's justice.

In 2 Samuel 12, God sends the prophet Nathan to confront the king. He tells of a rich man who has sheep to spare, but when a visitor comes he takes the loan pet of a poor man. David's anger burns at the act and after declaring judgment Nathan says, "You are the man!" David acknowledges his sin, and God takes away his sin and spares his life (verse 13), but not before passing judgment. God is a just God, in order to be Holy and righteous, He must be just.

The sword would never depart from David's house, his wives would be taken from him and would be give to others who would publicly lie with with. And though David's life is spared, the life of the child that he tired to have covered up will not be. When leaders do evil in the sight of God, the innocent are hurt.

David was a man after God's own heart, but he was a man who also committed great evil. And even being king did not spare him from God's judgment. All of us will one day have to stand before God. All of us are accountable to Him for our choices and actions. And God will enforce justice. Vengeance is His, He will repay, and He will judge the people (Hebrews 10.30). God will repay those who do evil, Obadiah 1.15, "For the day of the Lord draws near on all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own head."

God is just, and evil will be punished, there are no exceptions. Wealth, power, position will not spare the wicked. And with that in mind we must remember that it is not our place to take revenge. It is not our place to seek vengeance. It is God's place, and He will do it.

To those in leadership, (all men are leaders by design) God has given you authority and placed you in leadership to serve and protect. Do not abuse the power for your gain. Leadership brings stricter judgment, and God is a just God.

Walk in the ways of the Lord and be blameless before Him. Use your position for it's intended use, to be a blessing to the people you lead. God has placed you in authority, use it for His glory.

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you