The Story: David the King

Once there was a little boy who lived in the country. They had to use an outhouse for a facility and the little boy absolutely hated the outhouse because it was always hot in the summer, cold in the winter, and it stank all the time. So the little boy decided that, because the outhouse was on the bank by a creek, he would push the outhouse into the water. After a spring rain when the creek was fully swollen, the boy knew it was time to push the outhouse into the creek. He got a big stick and he pushed and the outhouse toppled into the creek and floated away. Later that night his dad told him that they were going to make a trip out to the woodshed.

The little boy knew that meant a spanking. He asked his father why and the father said, “Because someone pushed the outhouse into the creek today, and I think it was you. Wasn’t it, son?”

The boy answered, “Yes, it was, Dad.”

Then the little boy thought and said, “Today, Dad, I read in school that when George Washington cut down the cherry tree, he didn’t get into trouble because he told the truth.”

The father responded, “Well, yes, son, but George Washington’s father wasn’t in that cherry tree.”

All of us have messed up at sometime or another in our lives. How do you react when you are caught out? Do you try to bluff your way out of it? Do you become defensive and angry or do you own up and take the consequences?

This week in chapter 12 of The Story King David messes up BIG TIME in his private life. It involves murder and stealing another man’s wife. You can read how he reacts when caught out for yourself in 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12 in the Bible.

As you read you will also discover a God who accepts that we make mistakes; who loves us unconditionally in spite of that; and who is willing to forgive us when we ask for His forgiveness. Now that sounds like a good deal to me.

So in the coming week, if you mess up, “fess up” as they say and feel a sense of peace come over you as you realise that God still loves you.

Tags: The Story