A few weeks ago, a friend invited me to enjoy a beautifully seared, slow-cooked lamb roast. It was so tender and flavourful – a moment of intense pleasure. I confess that I ate too much.  Our story today includes friendship, a lamb roast, and pleasure.

In 2 Samuel 11, King David breaks at least seven of the ten commandments. He believes his sins are hidden. He lives within a web of lies, not for a day, but for at least nine months:

a. Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, just happened to be killed in battle.

b. He has legitimately taken a widow to be his wife. He has not committed adultery.

c. Bathsheba now happens to be pregnant with their child.

King David is living like a fool. Psalm 10:11 He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”

How does God awaken a soul seared by sin? A sin is an attitude, thought, intention, or action contrary to the heart of God. We all sin. How does God awaken our sin-seared souls?

1. The Lord’s Word: Listen, Trust, and Obey
2. The Lord’s Expectation: Repent and be Restored
3. The Lord’s Justice: Submit and Worship
4. The Lord’s Grace: Receive and Rejoice

Reflection and Prayer: Psalm 51

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned

   and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you may be justified in your words

   and blameless in your judgment.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,

   and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from your presence,

   and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

   and uphold me with a willing spirit.