“Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her.”
–2 Samuel 11:2-4 (NIV)
Trying to lose weight seemed like a losing battle, and I was filled with discouragement. I was glad I had stayed home from yet another meeting, and I decided to invite my friend over. For obvious reasons, I called her Thin Lynn. I often wondered how she stayed that way, and why I attended the meetings at all.
Hungry and out of sorts, I was filled with frustration. I grabbed my keys and angrily stomped out to the apartment parking lot. Lynn hopped in the back seat, but when I sped off she cried, “Where are we going?”
“I don’t know about you, but I need a break. I’ve been trying to deny myself with no results.”
“Surely,” she agreed, “it won’t hurt to look around. Why not turn down here? There are a lot of restaurants on this street.”
“Good idea!” I said, feeling better. “If I look, maybe I’ll be satisfied.”
Looking at restaurants was fun for a while, until I saw the sign for a buffet that advertised a different special every night. We sat in the parking lot for a minute, taking in the tantalizing smells. Finally, I could take it no longer.
“Could you go in?” I asked Lynn. “Let me know what they have. Then we’ll go back to my place.”
“If you say so,” she agreed cheerfully. Hopping out of the car, she ran inside.
To make a long story short, we stayed there until they closed, laughing and filling our plates. I can honestly say that I don’t remember having a better time–that is, until I looked at the scale the next morning.

Like the person in the above story, our actions blind us and seem to bring us immense pleasure–until we are weighed on the scales of life. We may wonder where God is while facing horrendous problems, and that is what I want to look at today.
Here’s something to think about. Many of the choices you and I make actually bring on our problems.
While you may not like this statement, and it is not always the case, our choices can certainly ensnare us. They are like a child’s building blocks. Small and seemingly insignificant, they add up until they’ve created a monumental structure.
When making these choices, however, the Bible says something that we need to consider. It tells us that there is pleasure in sin for a season, and the first step or building block towards finding pleasure outside of Christ is the gratification of the flesh.
Look at the above story more closely. Lynn and her friend tried to tame their desires by looking at restaurant signs, rather than meditating upon Christ.
When David walked on the roof of his palace, he sought fleshly gratification. That, in turn, caused a chain reaction, for the pleasure he willfully sought blinded him.
But he did more than walk on the roof. More importantly, he walked in the lust of his flesh. Instead of walking in the freedom of the Spirit, he chose the chains of sin. Because his heart was infected by the lust that initially drove him, he looked down when he should have been looking up. As a result, he saw that beautiful woman.
In the biblical narrative, we can see him captured by desire, and we point the finger at him. But if we are honest, I wonder how many times you and I live in a similar way. By not keeping our eyes on God’s Son, our focus will be driven by our desires, and gratification of our lusts is what advertising is all about.
But having said that, let’s look at the second building block–further inquiry when we’re being tempted. Instead of running from his lusts, like the Bible tells us to do, David sent one of his messengers to look into the matter more completely. Sadly, you and I can do much the same thing. It is true that we need to take a stand for Christ, but we often confuse this stance with sitting within the gates of the enemy.
The rest of this story makes it clear that if we don’t choose to do what the Bible tells us, and seek God with all our hearts, we will fall just as David did. Yes, he repented and was forgiven, and so are you. But there were consiquences, and just like a child’s tower of blocks, King David came crashing down.
So when Satan whispers that you can’t make it, instead of falling, take all your problems to God’s throne. Confess any sin to Him, and cling to God. Then, abide in His Word and its promises, for we can rise to new heights in and through Him. Remember that “if God is for us, who can be against us?” This knowledge will bring you new freedom, and help you as you stand in God’s grace.
Thank you for reading this, and may the Lord give you a wonderful week! We are trying to reach people who are hurting, so if God lays it on your heart, please consider becoming a partner with us. If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.hcmachaplains.org and click on the Donate Now link. You can also send donations by mail to HCMA (Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Association). Our ID number is 560. The address is 101 S Kraemer BLVD, Suite 123A, Placentia, CA 92870.
Finally, you’re always welcome to join our Tuesday night Bible study. These studies are conducted by conference call, and they take place at 6:30 PM Arizona time. Our conference number is 313-209-8800. Our PIN is 8699032. We hope to talk with you soon!
If you have questions, comments or prayer requests for Timothy or Stephanie Burdick, please call 507-369-6861.