CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 906

“From Glance to Gaze”

In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle…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 from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. (2 Samuel 11:1-2)

The Christian walk in our society is more like wading through a cesspool at times. There is a visual assault on our eyes to heighten our sexual desires whether it is through the revealing attire of the opposite sex or through the media or merchandising of products from hamburgers to lingerie. Such revealing attire used to be isolated to the ‘red light district’ but no longer. It is considered acceptable fashion and encountered from the mall to the workplace. Modesty has become ‘old-fashioned’. Our ears are assaulted with four-letter vulgarities and the blaspheming of the Name of God. We hear it at work, play, in the media and the rap music played in the car next to us at the stop light. There seems to be no escape.

God’s Word tells us that David was a man after God’s own heart. Yet he remained as vulnerable to sin as we are. David’s initial glance at Bathsheba bathing was innocent enough. But he allowed his glance to become a gaze which set in motion an adulterous relationship and led to murder in an attempt to cover it up. How could David have kept his way pure? What lessons are in this Scripture for us today?

First, be where you are supposed to be. Second, be in the company of whom you are supposed to be in. David was supposed to be at the battle front with his troops not at leisure in his home alone. It is in our idle time that we are easy prey for temptation. It is when we are least accountable and think we will not be caught that we are tempted to do what we would not otherwise do. Remain accountable when at home, play, work, and travelling. Avoid idle, unproductive time. Keep yourself and your children accountable in the use of media and internet. Choose carefully those whom you and your children hang with. Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. (Psalm 119:9) We have to diligently guard our heart – our way according to the Word of God. I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl. (Job 31:1) It starts with a committed relationship to Jesus Christ – to seek first His kingdom and righteousness.

There is a narrow path we are to walk as Christians. Our bodily desires and lusts will entice us to turn aside and astray. Keeping our eyes on Jesus will keep our glance from becoming a gaze that drags us down a wide path of destruction. Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths… (Proverbs 7:25) Like David we are susceptible to sin as long as we are in this body. We must always be on guard. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall… (1 Corinthians 10:12-13) Also like David, the good news is that there is forgiveness and restoration through Jesus Christ. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

May you continue in the daily reading, praying, and study of the Word of God and remain equipped for the battle and assault that this world brings against you. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)