Dearly Beloved,

The Bible is often perceived as fairly staid and even uninteresting. Admittedly, there are parts (such as the genealogies) that can make many an eye glaze over. There are also parts that are decidedly inspirational and others that provide balm for our souls. And still, others that make modern-day soap operas mild in comparison.

This week’s reading is about David and his abuse of power, particularly in his relationship to Bathsheba. While this woman is often portrayed as a seductress, when we look closer at the passage, we find that she is the victim here with David having all the power. We are not reading the entire story (mainly because of its length); the verses that are skipped show also how he tries to first cover his own sin and then ensures that Uriah (Bathsheba’s husband) is killed in battle – seems he’s trying to make things better for himself. You can read the whole of the story in 2 Samuel 11-12 and David’s Psalm of confession and seeking of absolution in Psalm 51.

The thing about the Bible is that it is more than just stories, songs, and sayings. It speaks to our very real human lives and experiences. While the culture and situations may be different, at the core of the stories we find ourselves with our own struggles and sin.

In the midst of our own lives, we find God who does point us to our sin, but also offers us forgiveness and points to the way to the lives that God intends for us. God is always gracious and merciful, steadfast in his love for us.

The questions to ask of any biblical text is: how does it connect to our lives and the world today and even more importantly, what does it tell us about God?

Join us for worship this week as David falls from his pedestal and we find God continuing to show him and us love and grace

peace in Christ,
Pastor Jen

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)