Uriah the Hittite: Close Friend?

While reading this morning is 1st Chronicles 11, I was came across the list of “David’s Mighty Men”.  According verse 10 they were described as, “…heads of the mighty men whom David had, who gave him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.”  Basically they were some of David’s biggest supports to help him take the throne of Israel.  Many of these men traveled with David, fought with David and even helped supply his basic needs (see 1st Chronicles 11:15-19).

The first 10 chapters of 1st Chronicles will pretty much put you to sleep with the massive lists of tribe, family trees, etc.  Every once and while reading a name will pop up of importance.  In the list of David’s mighty men, the name Uriah the Hittite appeared.  Does that name sound familiar?  Well it should, it is the same Uriah the Hittite the husband of Bathsheba.

One of David’s greatest faults was with women.  The story of Uriah and Bathsheba is no exception.  We all know the story as played out in 2nd Samuel 11.  But learning that Uriah was one of David’s close companions, his neighbor and possibly a good friend was a surprise for me.  It’s one thing to sleep with some chick you see bathing on the rooftop.  It’s another level of adultery when it’s your friend’s wife.  Please don’t read too much into this statement.  All forms of adultery are sin.  But to sleep with your friend’s wife, then murder him. That’s low!

I guess the point of this post it two-fold.  One is I learned something new and felt like sharing.  You may have already known the history of Uriah the Hittite.  Secondly is to point out that we always need to guard ourselves from the temptation of sin.  Most extramarital affairs that I’ve heard and know about happen between close friends.  Whether it’s co-workers, neighbors, church members, it all too often happens between people who already know each other well.  We need to do all that we can to protect ourselves from such attacks.   Our marriages, families and our reputations as followers of Christ is on the line.

So the question for today is this, what are some ways that we can protect our marriages?  Feel free to share your tips in the comments section.

 

 

Forgiveness

Recently there has been a song on Christian radio that I’ve heard before but didn’t pay attention to the lyrics until last night. The song is 7 x 70 by Chris August. The song started playing and the connection to me and my life hit me like a ton of bricks.

We’ve all been let down, disappointed, and maybe even abandoned by the ones we love.  God’s answer is not vengeance, revenge, or hatred.  God’s only solution to those situations is forgiveness.  Below is the music video that speaks to this idea of forgiveness.

The last set of lyrics really ring true for me:

I lost count of the ways you let me down
But no matter how many times you weren’t around
I’m alright now…cause
God picked up my heart and helped me through
And shined light on the one thing left to do
And that’s forgive you, I forgive you

The challenge for today is the challenge that Chris August gives us… will you say, “I’ll do what it takes to make it right”?  Who can you offer forgiveness to?

Thanks to My Friends

The last 48 hours have really been interesting.  In the midst of the change going on, it’s been nice to have some really great friends.  I cannot say thank you enough to all the friends that have reached out to Alison and I.  The simple things like texting, “I’m really sorry.  I will be praying for you and the family” have made a huge impact on Alison and I both.  We’ve received phone calls, texts, and emails all expressing the care and concern for us and asking if there is anything we need.  All of these have been a huge blessing and I wanted to make sure and offer up a public thank you.

Proverbs 18:24 says, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”  I’m truly grateful that I have reliable friends!  I’m grateful that I have friends that have stuck by Alison and I through think and thin.  That’s what church is about.  The church is about God creating a community (the body of Christ) and that we stick by each other in hard times.   We are loved and we love you!