Uriah's Convictions

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.