URIAH’S CONVICTION
II Sam. 11:8-11
INTRO. (Background)
David’s lust for Bathsheba - David’s adultery - Bathsheba with child. Uriah brought home with a report of the battle. Uriah sent to his home. Uriah refused to go home.
A. Many probably wanted to go home (Gideon lost 22,000 men). But Uriah wanted back in the fight.
B. II Samuel 23 lists 37 extraordinary soldiers who were the elite fighting force of Israel. They were known as "David’s Mighty Men". Among these is listed Uriah the Hittite. Now we see that he is given permission to rest and be lazy but that goes against his nature. His nature was that of a fighting man.
C. You know that believers are in a daily battle. (Eph. 6:12-13) -- "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
1. It is sad to see churches all over losing faithful members more and more. It is even more sad to here believers trying to justify this action by claiming that this is the great falling away of the last days....as if, that made it all okay.
2. Many believers do all they can to try to excuse themselves from the spiritual warfare of this life.
3. I have a sad feeling that many of God’s children only draw close to God for what they can get out of Him. (Illus.) -- A young husband and wife had not been married very long when the husband lost his job. At first he was busy looking for a new job, filling out applications and such. But as time wore on he grew more accustomed to his new role as one of the unemployed. After a few months it got to where he spent the biggest part of his day just lazing around the house. One afternoon, after a hard day, his wife came home and saw him laying on the couch watching TV. That was the last straw and she exploded. She began to vent months of pent up frustration. "If it weren’t for my money that TV wouldn’t be here.", she said. "If it weren’t for my money that couch wouldn’t be here. If it weren’t for my money that popcorn you’re eating wouldn’t be here." The husband listened carefully and thought for a moment, the he replied honestly, "If it weren’t for your money, I wouldn’t be here."
4. Uriah wasn’t like that at all. He wanted back in the battle. When we study this passage of Scripture we find out it was because he had the right kind of conviction.
5. Motivational seminars seem to be the new craze in churches today. Salesmen need motivation; Christians need conviction. Notice the secret of Uriah’s conviction. In our text, he lists 4 reasons for his conviction.
I. THE ARK OF GOD WAS THERE.
A. In the O.T. the Ark of the Covenant symbolized the presence of God.
B. Note the implications here - the Lord is in the field with His army while David stays at home in leisure. Uriah’s presence is a rebuke to David and his testimony is a reprimand to the king.
C. Uriah realized something that David had forgotten.
1. Uriah knew that when one stands in the presence of God he can not be defeated.
a. (Jn. 16:33) -- "In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
b. (Illus.) -- Elisha and his servant at Dothan (II Kings 6) surrounded by the Assyrian army; surrounded by horses and chariots of fire and the angels of God. When you distance yourself from God you loose that spiritual insight.
c. The very fact that Uriah was back home at the palace was evidence that David had distanced himself from the presence of God and was suffering spiritual defeat. In fact, the only reason that Uriah had been called back home was to hopefully cover up one result of David’s spiritual disobedience.
2. Uriah knew that in the presence of God there is a peace that can not be duplicated.
a. In the midst of the battle Uriah had peace.
b. The peace of trusting God. His promises are true. God had made many promises concerning Israel’s welfare and, evidently, Uriah believed every one of them.
c. The peace of knowing God...
1. He is omniscient - all knowing
2. He is omnipotent - all powerful
3. He is omnipresent - everywhere
d. The peace of pleasing God.
1. (Prov. 16:7) -- "When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
2. This is the peace of Christ. (Jn. 14:27) -- "Peace I leave with you, MY peace I leave with you."
3. Uriah knew that in the presence of God there is a power that can not be disturbed.
a. That power that can withstand temptation.
b. That power that can bring revival.
c. That power that strengthens us for what lies ahead.
4. Uriah knew that in the presence of God there is provision that can not be diminished.
a. (Rom. 8:28) -- "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE."
b. Too many try to put the blame on God for withholding His blessings: It’s not that God has run short of blessings to give us but rather that we are not in the right place to receive them.
c. Staying at home and being lazy was the wrong place to be.
d. Only when we are in the presence of God can we claim the promise of Phil. 4:19 -- "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
II. ISRAEL IS THERE.
The nation of Israel speaks to us of the people of God.
A. The great witnesses of God have all been warriors in the spiritual battles of this life.
B. Hebrews 11 reads like a list of Who’s Who of spiritual giants. Everyone a brave soldier of faith.
1. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph
2. Hebrews 11:32-38
C. This is much more than a Sunday morning battle. And it takes more preparation than 15 minutes on Saturday night.
D. Some try to rationalize their lack of participation by claiming that they haven’t been called to special service.
1. Not all are called to pastor - yet all are called to minister.
2. Not all are called to preach - yet all are called to proclaim.
3. Not all are endowed as teachers yet all are able to encourage. Everyone can do something. (Illus.) – The story is told of a Christian man who owned a barber shop. One night, at a revival meeting, the barber felt greatly burdened to do more with his testimony for Christ. The next evening, the barber began attending a "soul winners class" at his church. He attended faithfully every night for two weeks. He rehearsed all the material, took extensive notes, and memorized the assigned Bible verses. At the end of the two weeks he received a plaque acknowledging his completion of the course. The next morning, in the barber shop, he hung the plaque and bowed his head. "Dear Lord," he prayed, "help me to witness to the first man to come through that door this morning." At that moment in walked the biggest, meanest, foulest man the barber had ever seen. It seems this man had recently lost a bet with some "biker" buddies and now he had to get his head shaved. Needless to say, the barber did not feel very comfortable quoting the "Roman Road" to a man with a tattoo on his neck. The rest of the day did not go any better for the barber. At 5:00 p.m., the barber was sobbing with shame. He had not witnessed to a single person. He bowed his head again. This time he prayed, "Lord, if you will allow one more opportunity, I promise I will do my part." At that, the door opened and in walked a pleasant looking gentleman. The man smiled at the barber, apologized for coming in so late and took a seat in the chair. As the barber draped the man in his protective sheet, he began to try to remember what he was supposed to say. He began to get very confused. As the barber put shaving cream on the man’s face, he tried to remember the answers he had learned to the possible objections. As the barber began to strop his razor, he realized that he simply could not remember a thing he had learned. This made the barber very nervous and soon sweat began to break out on his forehead. Finally, in desperation, he shook the razor at the man and screamed, "ARE YOU PREPARED TO DIE??!!!"
E. As soldiers of the Lord we are expected to place ourselves in the forefront of the battle. Heb. 12:1-2
F. Some stop fighting in the Lord’s battles because they feel that their personal wars are more important.
1. I don’t mean to make light of your situations, but I can assure you that.... "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
2. Heb. 12:4
III. JUDAH IS THERE.
A. The name Judah means "praise". The battle is the place of praise.
B. In the inner prison, at Philippi, Paul and Silas praised the Lord.
C. In death, Stephen praised the Lord.
D. When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
IV. JOAB IS THERE.
A. Joab was Uriah’s general. He was the one with the battle plan. Uriah believed that in the battle was the promise of victory. After all, you can’t win if you don’t fight.
B. Too many church members act as if they belong to First Baptist Church of Sinai.
1. Pharaoh coming from behind - Red Sea in front. "God brought us out here to die."
2. If God had wanted them dead He would have left them in Egypt. How many of you treat God as if He doesn’t know what’s going on in your life?
3. How many act as if God is the loser instead of the champion?
C. God has a wondrous plan for His children from before the foundation of the world.
1. Did Christ die in vain? And what of that Divine inheritance?
2. Romans 8:29-31
3. Beside all this, in Rev. 19 we see the beauty of the Bride of Christ and the establishment of the kingdom of our Lord.
D. Does this sound like a God who doesn’t have a plan?
CONCLU.
THEY ABIDE IN TENTS.
In other words, Uriah was saying, "That’s my place. My sympathies and prayers are with those who are doing the fighting. I have no right being at home and taking it easy. I have a spot to fill."
I long to be in the presence of God; with the people of God; praising God; and experiencing the victory.
It is important to notice that his choice brought his death.
This world will not smile upon you for standing for Christ. But remember, it’s not the world your must answer to.
