Cross Yourself

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Cross Yourself

I don’t like it, but today I need to tell the story of a terrible tragedy that could have been avoided.

King David walked up onto his roof one evening, presumably to refresh himself with the cool evening breezes that blew through Jerusalem.

As he looked down he saw a very beautiful woman bathing herself in a private courtyard below. He stood and he watched. Later, unable to get her out of his mind, he sent for her and took that which was not his to take.

Later Bathsheba sent word back to the King that she was expecting his child. Thinking to hide his sin, David sent for Uriah to be sent home from the battlefront. Uriah returned unaware of the events at home.

After delivering his message, the King instructed him to go home. Considering his comrades suffering in the field, Uriah refused and spent the night camped with the King’s servants. That which Uriah could take he would not out of honor and fidelity.

David attempted again the next night to get Uriah to go home, but once again, Uriah crossed himself and slept with the servants.

Finally David sent Uriah back to the war carrying instruction for Joab, his chief captain, saying, “set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle and retire ye from him that he may be smitten.” (2 Samuel 11:15)

Subsequently, Joab orchestrated a foolish battle against the Ammonites and not only was Uriah killed, but so, too, were others of the King’s men. When Joab sent word back that the deed was done, David passed it off casually. He then sent for Bathsheba and took her as his wife.

No one hides from God. David’s sins were declared openly to him by Nathan the Prophet. David lost everything. His peace became guilt and self-loathing. His throne, his wives and children were all taken from him and given to another. He fell from his exaltation.

I can’t point a jeering finger at David. I’ve made too many of my own mistakes, but I can learn from him.

Our mortal bodies and minds are constantly demanding that which they should not have.

Therefore, it is critical that we learn to cross ourselves.

No, this is not something we do with our hands, but rather, that which we do in our hearts. It means to deny ourselves of every ungodly thing. It means to tell ourselves NO!