DEALING WITH CONSEQUENCES

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence
and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You. Psalm 51:10-13

Mark Twain said, “The man that sets out to carry a cat by its tail learns something that will always be useful and which will never grow dim or doubtful.” Every choice has consequences. While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences.

King David had to deal with the consequences of his sin after the Lord forgave him. How did King David deal with the consequences of his sin with Bathsheba? Psalm 51 lays out his prayer of repentance and his commitment to the Lord. Notice what David writes in verse 13: “Then, I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You.” David determined to obey God and warn others even while enduring the consequences of his sin. Is that your approach to the consequences of your sin?

This is part of what made David a man after God’s own heart. A young man by the name of Jason was drinking alcohol and street racing with friends in 1991. But his actions resulted in a crash which killed his 15-year-old brother. He was convicted of vehicular homicide and sentenced to 6 years in the State Prison. When he was released, he had a choice to make and one upon which he had deliberated for years. He could be depressed and stew about what he had done; or, he could do what was right and benefit others. He chose the latter. What will you do about the consequences of your sin?

Ike Graham