The Crossroad

(this article is intended for the youth retreat...the first topic is making choices and facing consequences. This material has been successful with the help of the Search God's Word Commentaries (e.g Matthew Henry)...for more biblical truth references and also our main textbook came from Kay Arthur's precept book...the Speaker of this material is none other tham my betterhalf, John. Praise God everything and for the workers of the Youth and the sponsors!)

Introduction:

Who among you came today out of their decision to attend? Maybe some of you went a hard time persuading your parents. Some went through exerting extra effort to finish assigned chores in advance just to come to this retreat. I hope nobody came today because his or her parents forced them to come. But I believe whatever motivates our decision to come, God can use that for His Glory.


But before we begin this session…let’s commit our time in prayer…

In your handout…the first session is entitled the crossroad: making choices and facing the outcome…

Everyday we make decisions and are to face different choices. These choices absolutely mark our lives and define us as a person. Have you heard of the saying “Our decision can either make us or break us”? This statement is already a cliché but only to a chosen few that this adage has sunk in their hearts and truly learned from it.

Do you believe that you reap what you sow? That in every action there’s a consequence that tags along with it? If there’s an input, there shall be an output? A cause shall have an effect. If there’s a crime, there’s a penalty. These are what we call courses of action and response.

To understand this fully, why don’t we look at our bible and see what does it tell us whenever we make choices, where does it bring us.

Let’s see the life of David. We know King David was a godly king. He was even called by God “a man after my own heart”. He was Israel’s great and celebrated 2nd king. His obedience had resulted in unprecedented outpouring of blessing, not only on his household, but also on all of Israel. But one time in his life, he made this choice and went through a lot of mental, physical, emotional and spiritual anguish.

Let’s read 2nd Samuel 11:1-5
What Do you think are the few factors that contribute to the decision of David…Let’s read again 2nd Samuel 11 v 1

Note of the word “in the spring…” where is David supposed to be at this time? It is normal for kings to go war in the spring, which marks the end of the rainy season. But where is King David in this normal occasion? In verse 1b “…But David stayed in Jerusalem.”

No.1 factor for David was Time.

Now that David has the time to stay home. But then in verse 2a… David couldn’t sleep.
What happened to David when he stayed home and didn’t go to battle? He was idle. He had nothing to do so he just roamed around his palace.

No. 2 factor for David was Place. He was in the palace. Nothing to think about but himself and the beauty of the night perhaps.

Let’s finish reading verse 2

No.3 factor for David was Partner. While he was trying to appreciate the night, he saw a beautiful woman
Maybe David doesn’t know that by this time…he had already completed the 3 legs of a stool.
David has
1. Time
2. Place
3. Partner

As David completed the legs, he surely sat on it, right?

So, Bathsheba was said pregnant. What course of event led to her pregnancy? IDLENESS.

And so, if in case David should have known the 3 legs of a stool principle, do you think he wouldn’t end up with this disaster?

To validate our answer, let’s go to Deut. 17: 18-20
Based from what we read in the overhead, every king who came to power was supposed to write down his own copy of the law- the first five books of the bible— genesis to Deuteronomy.

If that were the case, this mean David would have written out Exodus 20:1-17, which lists the commandments

What are the Ten Commandments by the way?) to refresh our memory and to get things right… let’s read if from the overhead

Did David break any of these commands? Yes!

Now, let’s continue the story of David and Bathsheba…So, did it end there?

Let’s read 2 Sam. 11: 6-13

David, at this time tried to manipulate the situation. He tried to cover up his mistakes. But every time David tried, his plan failed

But king David did not easily give up. If he failed from his first 2 plans, Sure he has plan c.

Let’s read 2 Sam. 11: 14-17

Was David successful this time with his scheme? Yes. But he was not alone. He involved someone else…Joab. David went all the trouble just to cover up his sin.
What was the end result of this strategic move? And how did it measure up the Ten Commandments? What had David just done?


The danger of our decision is mostly been carefully thought of when it has been done already. Ironic as it is but surely it’s what is commonly happening to us. Playing with fire can get you burn hand worst even burn your whole body. And what does done can never be undone anymore. It would only leave you a deep sigh…sometimes foolishly asking yourself, where could you have done wrong.

On the account of our free will, Yes! we are free to make decisions. God does not hinder us from choosing what we think good for best or us for us. But mostly our judgment falls short from what God think is right for us.

(end of part 1)