God's Sabbath

D AVID E NTANGLED

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“God was dishonored by David’s unbelief. The Philistines had feared David more than they had feared Saul and his armies; and by placing himself under the protection of the Philistines, David discovered to them the weakness of his own people. Thus he en couraged these relentless foes to oppress Israel. David had been anointed to stand in defense of the people of God; and the Lord would not have his servants give encouragement to the wicked by disclosing the weakness of His people or by an appearance of in difference to their welfare. Furthermore, the impression was re ceived by his brethren that he had gone to the heathen to serve their gods. By this act he gave occasion for misconstruing his mo tives, and many were led to hold prejudice against him. The very thing that Satan desired to have him do he was led to do; for, in seeking refuge among the Philistines, David caused great exulta tion to the enemies of God and His people. David did not re nounce his worship of God nor cease his devotion to His cause; but he sacrificed his trust in Him to his personal safety, and thus tarnished the upright and faithful character that God requires His servants to possess.” Patriarchs and Prophets , 672.3, 672.4. How different was God’s evaluation of David’s course from his own! While David was filled with satisfaction over the results of his planning, the Almighty was grieved and His plan to give the throne to His elect impeded. Furthermore, even though he could not yet see it, David’s course was generating a storm of trouble that, but for God’s saving grace, would completely destroy him. The Scriptures repeatedly reveal this difference between hu man and divine judgment. The course His children often deem to be the best, God knows to be the worst. Time always confirms that when we undertake the responsibility of planning God’s work, disaster is the eventual outcome. The more we benefit from studying the many recorded instances of this, the more thoroughly we will be delivered from any disposition to be the decision makers in God’s place. We need to understand that the responsibility for conducting God’s work does not rest on us. That is the Lord’s position. Our David’s Error of Judgment