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LIVING IN THE WILL OF GOD

         The Story of 2 Samuel Chapter 11                             2010 edition

We have over the years stressed the need for God’s  

people   to love and live by the word and honor Jesus in their

daily living.  It is sad when we blend in the world so well that it is hard for a sinner to see us and even worse when the sinner sees the need to help us because we continue to spiral downward.

What causes us to feel OK living outside the will of God?  Why do we feel our masquerade is acceptable to Jesus our Lord?

As SIA prepares to expand in some areas in order to reach more for Jesus, it is important to understand our role in this world.

 ACT I - Distraction

As the first shifters arise to face another commute, a young executive as already finished his third cup of espresso and pours another cup as he heads for the 6:00 am meeting. This boy genius had done what others could not do and that was to save the city of Chicago from financial collapse. He had faced the most powerful local leaders and the super powers from other states who wanted to claim the city for their selves, and with faithful prayer, Jesus had used him to save the city.  No matter where he went, people sang his praise and he felt good.

One evening he decided not to drive home nor attend the financial meeting as was scheduled. He just wanted to relax. Staring out of his office window, the view of the new exclusive suites and their tenants was breath taking. While thinking about how his design had become a reality, his eyes saw the perfect form of a young beautiful woman, just across the way and Satan distracted him from thinking about his love for Jesus and Family.  He could not get her out of his mind, so he called security and asked them to invite her over. 

Within minutes, security called him back and said, “This is security. The lady in question is Mrs. Doe, the wife of Mayor Doe. Do you still wish to invite her to your office?”  “Yes”, replied the executive, I would like to discuss some business ideas from a woman’s perspective.”

When she arrived, her beauty was even more breath taking. He was spell bound and she was thrilled at the opportunity to have a one on one meeting with the man who had saved Chicago.  They discussed color schemes and office designs as he walked with her to an empty room and asked her opinion of its future.

His touch was not resisted and Satan directed Act 1 of his plan to add souls to his kingdom.

They both would move on as if nothing happened and life was back on track but Satan’s Act 2 was about to start.

The young executive was busy with meetings and the family reunion was two weeks away when he received a note, “I need to see you ASAP.” A casual meeting at the local book store almost sparked news worthy drama. As she spoke softly about her pregnancy and her willingness to leave her husband, the young executive began to observe the reaction to the people passing by.  He could not afford to have drama at this stage of his career. “I’ll pay for it, just get an abortion and don’t bother me anymore.” As he walked out of the door, she realized the painful emotions of sin. This sin that had felt so wonderful now seemed to strip the life and soul from her body.

Sin, had filled her with an unclean feeling of guilt and shame. She felt the eyes of others invade her privacy and now she bore the burden of their one time affair. “Oh God, how could you let this happen to me?

Satan has set the stage for what he feels will be his best production and a perfect scheme to add souls to his army.  Satan’s strategy has not changed from the first time he used it in the Garden of Eden. His plan is to distract and destroy.  If he can distract us with things so that our intimate time with Jesus, that is prayer and study time, is less or not at all, then he will seek to destroy us.

ACT II – The Web of Distraction

Satan has set the stage for what he feels will be his best production and a perfect scheme to add souls to his army. 

After suggesting that Mrs. Doe get an abortion and just go away, he was off to his wife’s family reunion.  As he sat there, he realized that the members of her family were not in a position to boost his career.  They were just common people, with nothing of substance.  Their taste in music, food, and their sense of humor was borderline barbaric.  “Why am I here?” he thought as he looked at his wife and children.  For the first time he realized that they were like their family and had no real appreciation for the finer things in life.  His wife had gained weight, her manner of speech was so flat that the more she talked, the more irritated he became.  Mrs. Doe was the woman for him.  She was young, beautiful, had all the social graces, and the child she conceived would be able to continue his legacy.  She could boost his career.  Her husband was old and his term in office was ending.

As the executive discussed the future with Mrs. Doe; the excitement of being together; the fact that they were both focused and able to interact with the finest social graces their conversations just confirmed that the relationship was really meant to be. They had both spent years in non-meaningful marriages, but this time it would be different.  When Mrs. Doe announced that she wanted a divorce, it was met with tears and questions, pleadings, and begging to do whatever was possible to make it work. At the same time, the executive’s wife was seeking answers that included the same plea.

The executive’s name is Dave. He secured an apartment in his complex not far from Mrs. Doe. They saw each other every day in passing, but kept a low profile.  One day Dave met Mr. Doe and exchanged conversation with him on the elevator.  Mr. Doe really admired Dave and spoke very highly of him as a planner, hard worker, and most of all a Christian family man. Mr. Doe had a lot of money and was very careless in letting others see it.  That gave Dave an idea.  What if Mr. Doe met up with some gang members in need of money?  At his age, a beating could cause death and Dave’s problems would be solved. Dave made it a point to see Mr. Doe every day.  One Friday morning Dave suggested Mr. Doe meet him to look at some building sights to get his opinion about preserving the building because of its historic value or clearing it for a middle-income, family housing development.  Dave wanted Mr. Doe to take charge of the plan.  Mr. Doe was excited.  This would give him the break he had hoped for to redeem his name from the economic crises that happened under his reign as mayor.  Because the plan was in the development stages, Mr. Doe was sworn to secrecy.

At 7:00 pm, in a dark street surrounded by abandoned buildings, Mr. Doe stood and began to visualize the way the area used to be.  He headed for his car.  As he saw signs of movement, he tried to start his car.  It would not start.  The gang came closer.  He got out and offered his money, keys and coat.  One gang member pushed him and he lost his footing.  His head hit the curb and he lay there until morning when his lifeless body was spotted by an off-duty patrol officer.

Satan continues to orchestrate the demise of Dave, the sharp, thriving young executive. He is counting the souls that he will gain from the deceitful life of one who had it all. An off duty patrol officer discovered the lifeless body of Mr. Doe, the former mayor.  News spread and speculation was high.  Mrs. Doe portrayed the grieving widow and at times, her tears flowed like a river.  Of course, Dave was by her side, acting as a friend of the family and financial supporter. Months following the funeral, Dave, with Mrs. Doe by his side, announced plans to restore the area where Mr. Doe was killed and to build a cultural center on the spot where he died.  He said the former mayor had achieved many great things for the people of Chicago, but all was forgotten when the economic crises forced him to resign in shame. Dave and Mrs. Doe were seen at all the social functions as they talked up their project. Mrs. Doe, on the local talk show, spoke of her husband’s inability to function after resigning from office.  He just wanted to be alone and would go for days without talking to me.  People now viewed Mrs. Doe in a different light and were excited when Dave, with Mrs. Doe by his side, announced their plans to marry. Once again, Satan had given Dave the feeling that the future looked great because everything was falling into place.

In another part of Chicago, a young teen, lay dying following surgery to remove a bullet from his lung.  He and several other teens were involved in a robbery gone badly.  Pastor Love, a street evangelist, was called by the family and was allowed to speak to the 16 year old.  Christopher was a good boy that needed love and someone to care.  As Pastor Love talked to him about Jesus and how he loved him, Christopher asked how he could be saved.  Pastor Love explained Romans10:9.  Following the prayer, Christopher felt at peace.  He asked Pastor Love if he would pray for Dave.

“Dave who?” Pastor love responded.

“You know, Dave Grace the executive that just married Mrs. Doe.  I used to want to be just like him until he met with the gang to have Mr. Doe killed so he could get his wife.  Now he wants to restore and build so he can hide what he did.  Please pray for him so that he can find Jesus like me.”

Christopher was now free of his pain.  Pastor Love knew he had to seek the Lord for guidance as to what he should do.  But for now he could provide positive words to this grieving family.

Pastor Love could not get Christopher’s words out of his mind.  He had known Dave all of his life as a Christian man, and a hard worker. 

“Oh God, if this is true, let me go to him before it’s too late.”

It was a week of fasting and a multitude of attacks from Satan after much prayer, before the morning came when Pastor Love knew this was the day.  He had not seen Dave in years.  Pastor Love arrived at Dave’s office.  Just when he was about to speak to the receptionist, Dave returned to his office early.  His scheduled meeting had changed.  Dave recognized Pastor Love and invited him to his office. 

Pastor Love spoke of the old neighborhood, people that they knew and the status of many of the families.  Then, Pastor Love told Dave a story about a very wealthy real estate investor who had houses and money beyond what he could ever spend in two life times.  One family had purchased a small home from him and they worked for years making that run-down house a beautiful home.  When the sub-division was approved the value of their home tripled.  The investor tried to buy it back, but old Charlie wouldn’t sell.  So when Charlie became sick, and was a day late in making his monthly payment, the old investor said he broke the contract and the landlord put the family on the street and took their home. 

Dave jumped up and said, “Tell me his name.  I will have our legal department investigate him and get Charlie his home back.  Who is the dog that is selfish, and self-centered as to take from one who has so little for selfish gain?  What man would do this?  God should strip him of all of his wealth.  He does not deserve a dime and should be made to repay Charlie four times the cost of his home.  Give me his name. I’ll make him wish he had never been born. 

WHAT IS HIS NAME?” 

            His name is Dave Grace – Dave you are the man.

ACT IV

 Freedom from the Distraction

Satan continues to orchestrate the demise of Dave, the sharp, thriving, young executive, but he is no match for our God.  Dave rose slowly from his easy chair that now seemed to entrap him.  Turning to look out the window where only an hour ago he had enjoyed the beauty of the first blanket of snow.  How beautiful and clean the city looked.  But the glitter of the snow, as the sun first peeked over the horizon, had yielded to the warmth of its rays and quickly melted to reveal the unsightly trash that only moments before, were hidden from view.

He stood frozen, as he looked for comfort in his workmanship or a burst of excitement like the day he first saw Mrs. Doe.  Now his mind saw different images.  He saw his children and his wife on their knees begging him not to leave.  He saw his son holding to his leg as he pushed him aside to seal his success.  He saw Mr. Doe who trusted him and eagerly kept an appointment hoping to regain creditability only to meet his demise. Now, as the clouds held the rays of the sun from shining, Dave saw his reflection and for the first time realized, the joy, peace, and spirit was gone. He had become what he hated most – a self-centered, non-caring man living outside the will of God.

Dave fell to his knees, a broken man.  He cried out to the Lord to forgive him.  He knew the Lord had forgiven him because the Bible was full of men who had sinned and sought forgiveness and they were forgiven, even King David.  Dave stood up but felt weak and fell into his chair.  With fear written all over his face, he asked Pastor Love, “What do I do now?”  Pastor Love reminded Dave that Jesus hears our prayers and yes, he forgives, “but you were given a gift from the Lord, great opportunities, much wealth and a following of supporters who were willing to stand by you no matter what. However, you despised the commandments of God and there are consequences for disobedience.  Only God knows your future.  But rest assured, the Lord will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Today, as he has for many mornings, Dave stands gazing at the sunrise.  However, this morning he reflects over his life.  It had been years since God used Pastor Love to bring me to my knees. If I had only heeded the warning and followed the word of God these days or sorrow may not have been.  How my heart ached when accusation concerning the death of the former Mayor and the loss of my baby boy to a rare illness, drove my wife to a life of reclusion from everyone including me.  My children by my first marriage were front-page news for over a year. The younger son, JD was charged with the rape of his sister but before he could be arrested, he was killed.  Some say his brother DJ killed him.  One thing was certain, DJ was bitter because of my sin and that bitterness led him to seek to destroy my reputation and to take over the company.  When that failed, he tried to kill me, and would have succeeded if it were not for my bodyguard who shot him to protect me.  DJ’s death still haunts me today.

There were days when I felt like all hope was gone.  Many sought to destroy me and yet my Lord was faithful to me and gave me rest from my enemies.

I remember the day when the Lord restored the joy of His salvation upon me.  I began to see his handy work - not mine; his will - not mine; and my wife saw the changes too.  Her forgiveness sent us both free.  Our son Shad, a blessing in our old age, is learning how to manage the company.  He has so much wisdom and a love for the Lord.  I pray that he stays on course.

Dave’s thoughts are interrupted by his phone alarm.  It was time to help Pastor Love with the hot meal project.  This was the second year and Dave looked forward to sharing his testimony with the men that no matter what they had done, Jesus forgives if they would seek him with their whole heart.

Dave never turned back from his promise to the Lord.  As his time on this earthly journey drew near, he gave the words of wisdom to his son to keep the charge of the Lord, walk in his way, keep his commandments that you may prosper in all that you do.

The funeral service for Dave was well attended.  The newspaper printed the good, the bad and the ugly of his life.  However, at the service, many recalled the Dave who helped them, fed them, visited the sick, served as a leader to at-risk boys/teens, builder of recreational centers with free counseling service, and the list continued. 

Dave’s instruction to his friend was to tell the story of David the King and invite the lost, the broken and those in need to come to Jesus.  In the sermon, the minister shared how sin invades the mind and if left unchecked it can cause anyone to make unwise and/or even deadly decisions.  Every decision made outside the will of God draws you closer to Satan’s camp.  When God sent Nathan to speak to Kind David, he faced his sin and begged God to forgive him. The King suffered more than one could imagine; the death of three (3) sons, his daughter’s shame, and the loss of the joy of his salvation.

Dave was that man, and yes, he had much, but those things that were obtained outside the guidance of the Holy Spirit, were costly and painful to Dave and his family. Nevertheless, he turned back to his love for Jesus and sought him with all his heart. Jeremiah 29:13 and Matthew 6:33 became his daily prayer.  No longer was Dave first but JOY was the code word – Jesus, Others, and Yourself.

On the day of his death, he asked me to read I Kings 15:4-5 and then he went home. Therefore, be reminded that all have sinned and come short, Romans 3:23; that sin affects others; but when we seek the Lord, he forgives and restores. They read Romans 10:9, the call was given, and many were changed that day.

We encourage you to read the story of King David in I Samuel – I Kings 2:11. 

His Steward,

Karen

This document was produced by

S.I.A. (Stewards In Action) Corporation 

S.I.A.’s purpose is to promote the awareness of the Word of God

© 2010

S.I.A. Corporation

All Rights Reserved

For your free copy of the entire story, contact SIA at kcheathem@aol.com

Updated July 12, 2010