Staying Focused

But David tarried still at Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 11:1

Observe the occasions which led to this sin. (adultery with Bathsheba) (1) Neglect of his business. When he should have been abroad with his army in the field, fighting the battles of the Lord, he gave the care upon others, and he himself tarried in Jerusalem. Had he been now at his post at the head of his forces, he would have been out of the way of this temptation.

When we are out of the way of our duty we are in the way of temptation. (2) Love of ease, and the indulgence of a slothful temper. He came off his bed at evening-tide, verse 2. There he had dozed away the afternoon in idleness, which he should have spent in some exercise for his own improvement or the good of others. He used to pray, not only morning and evening, but at noon, in the day of his trouble: it is to be feared he had, this noon, omitted to do so. Idleness gives great advantage to the tempter. Standing waters gather filth. The bed of sloth often proves the bed of lust. (Matthew Henry)

If only......how many times I have said those words. If David had went to battle as he should, if David had gotten up and prayed as he should, the sin with Bathsheba would not have happened. What struck me personally with this verse was the fact that David gave in to his wants and was not focused on keeping his spiritual strength up. Our culture today promotes idleness; video games, movies, special tvs, any kind of entertainment you desire, it's out there. As long as our focus is on ourselves, Satan knows we are not about the Lord's business.