You are familiar with the story of David and Bathsheba. It was a sex scandal that left Bathsheba’s husband dead, David in heaps of trouble, and Bathsheba pregnant. As I was reading this account again in 2 Samuel 11, it struck me that David used his clout as king to do things that a ordinary person cannot do. For example, he ordered Bathsheba’s husband to come home from war when he found out that Bathsheba was pregnant. He, then, orders him back to the frontline where he knew he would be killed. And then, he kept everyone’s mouth shut who knew about the scandal.

David did things to sin and hide his sin that others would not be able to do simply because they didn’t have the power to do so. In other words, as David’s power grew, so did his potential to sin…

So, I’m glad that God did not give me power that I cannot wield. Perhaps, God knew in His wisdom that I would harm myself and others if I had been given more power. So, in His love and grace, He limited my authority and power.

But, this shouldn’t apply only to power. It applies to money. It applies to marriage. etc. Perhaps, God is not letting you earn more money than you are now because He knows that you will only make a mess of yourself if He did. Perhaps, God is not letting you marry just yet because He knows that you will hurt yourself and others….

We do well to thank God for what He has done for us as well as what He withheld from us. If you asked for it, but He said “No,” then thank Him for not giving it to you because it would’ve brought you harm.

PH