Devotional - May 26, 2004

A person of integrity is truly someone to be admired. No matter how great the temptation or what price they're asked to pay, they'll do the right thing. Uriah was such a man.

On the other hand, there's God's man sitting on God's throne in God's palace who was the source of temptation to this man of integrity. David had his mind on Uriah's wife Bathesba, but Uriah was in the way. David might have been God's man of the hour, but Uriah was more honorable. And you can only call into question David's honor because of his grievous sin.

When the subject of integrity comes up in conversation, it's inevitable that Christianity gets put on trial. And when it's discussed, you can also expect to talk about the hypocrisy of Christians versus the morals of those who are not. Regardless of your ability to defend Christ, one moment of sin can make your adversary's point.

It's as if the world wants to prove a good worldly person has more integrity than God's man. And don't we, as believers, too often give fuel to their argument? Although David was a man after God's heart, he didn't act like it when he conspired to kill Uriah and steal his wife. Without a doubt, Uriah had more integrity than David.

One reason I enjoy reading the book of Psalm is the fact that David wrote most of it. I often ponder what David was thinking when he wrote his beautiful verses. In Psalm 119:55, he said, "In the night I remember your name, O Lord, and I will keep your law. This has been my practice: I obey your precepts." I wonder if David wrote this before or after the night he lay in bed with Uriah's wife and plotted her husband's murder?

It sounds like I make a good argument for the prosecution, right? It's funny how those who could be the greatest critics of Christianity are in fact, proud Christians. It's because we know the extent of David's perversion, but we also know the extent of God's forgiveness of sin. And doesn't God's grace trump man's sinful action every time? His grace is truly greater than our sin. And speaking as the worst sinner of all time, I am SO SO SO glad!

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( 2Sa. 9:1-11:27 Jn. 15:1-27 Ps. 119:53-70 Pr. 16:1-3 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society