[Friday's Devotional] - Shamed or Shameless?

Shamed or Shameless? David became king and ruled for 40 years as a wholehearted servant of God.  Nonetheless, he was tempted and corrupted by the power and authority he had been given.  He was both human and red-blooded male.  While idling away some time on the roof one evening, David spotted beautiful Bathsheba, the wife of his neighbour Uriah, who was bathing.  As king, David was in a position of absolute power.  Consequently, he was able to suppress his conscience and manipulate the situation to consummate his sinful desire.   How often do we fail to resist temptation and seek the instant gratification that sin promises?  Yet sin never delivers the promised pleasure, and the consequences are long lasting.   David's desire caused him to break several commandments (coveting, adultery, bearing false witness, and murder – to name a few!).  God sent Nathan to rebuke David, and David was truly ashamed of what he had done:   Then David said to Nathan. "I have sinned against the Lord."  Nathan replied, "the Lord has taken away your sin.  You are not going to die.  2 Samuel 12:13 [NIV]   The penalty for adultery and murder was death.  Yet because of his shame, David was sensitive to the rebuke of Nathan and was able to confess whole-heartedly, and experience the joy of forgiveness.  Although he was forgiven, he was also punished.  The son born to Bathsheba as a result of their adultery died, and the ripples of the sin caused many other disasters, humiliations and violent deaths in the immediate family of David.   Shame isn't much in evidence today.  When sin is exposed, many men are in denial and the choice of "brazening it out" or "cutting and running" are more popular than facing up to the consequences of our sins.    Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct?  No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush.  Jeremiah 8:12 [NIV]     When confronted by our sin, are we shamed or shameless?  Happy is the man who knows how to blush!  The first step in repentance and forgiveness is recognition of what we have done.  The Holy Spirit within us makes us sensitive to sin and prompts our conscience.  Is there some unacknowledged and unforgiven sin in your life?  Do something about it now!   Convict us, Lord.  Forgive us, Lord.  Renew us, Lord.  Amen   Dave MacLellan (previously published in 2004)   Twitter Website Copyright © 2017 St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a subscriber to the Daily Devotionals Our mailing address is: St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church 1a New Street Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7BE United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Want to be added to our mailing list? - sign up here!