Scripture: 2Samuel (NIV) 11:27 After the time of mourning was over, David had her (Bathsheba) brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the LORD.

Observation: Again and again we read that The LORD gave David victory. First over a lion and a bear, then over the giant Goliath, then in his battles—The LORD made David victorious. Now we read "But the thing David had done displeased the LORD." What a terrible thing: to displease the One responsible for our victory! David remained the king, but his sin cost him dearly!

Application: My goal is to make God smile—to bring Him joy. When I do things that displease Him, I must be quick to repent, to admit my sin, to beg forgiveness, and to abandon the sinful action. He is quick to forgive, but sometimes, like King David, I still have to deal with the consequences of my actions.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, your holiness demands that I too be holy. Your love provided a way for me to be made holy, not on the basis of my actions, but on the basis of what Jesus did by dying in my place! Then your Holy Spirit living within me helps me live my life pleasing to you! You thought of everything! Amen