2 Samuel 19 – 23; 1 Chronicles 18:1-13; Psalm 60

Throughout the history of the kings of Judah and Israel, David is held up as the spiritual standard. Interestingly, there is not much mention of the properly functioning tabernacle, faithful priesthood and faithful people keeping the Law during David’s reign. Instead we read of the wars, invasions, rebellions and political intrigue that seemed to consume David during his reign.

Have you ever stopped to ponder how much time and energy is wasted on the distractions of life? Add to the drain on time the amount of destruction that occurs in those times of distraction. In David’ life and reign as king we get a glimpse into what was and what might have been. Imagine what might have been the direction of Israel if all of the people of Canaan had been vanquished as God directed. Instead, they became a distraction. Imagine if the children of Israel had devoted themselves to God as King. Instead, the struggle for power and rebelliousness became a distraction. Imagine if the people devoted themselves to the lifestyle and conflict resolution found in the Law of Moses. Instead, troubles of daily life became a distraction.

It is too simplistic to view David and Solomon as reigning successfully over the “united kingdom” and those who followed as kings over the “divided kingdom”. The amount of division in David’s world is astounding. His house was divided against itself, and his family was destroyed in the process. Instead of a lifetime of joy in the LORD and enjoying the bountiful increase of flocks, vineyards and wheat fields we see discord and infighting. A blessed family should have left a legacy of faithfulness to God and the Law. The blessing they were given by God – prosperity, prominence, power, position – became a distraction that drew them away from God. It is quite sad.

We can see the same thing with the church today. We have been given freedom, prosperity and open door of opportunity, yet the world sees “Christendom” as dysfunctional, judgmental and willing to fight and split even over the color of carpeting. Instead of experiencing the joy of our unity in Christ, folks ignore and distort the clear meaning of Scriptures and disparage the hearts of those who simply wish to follow Jesus. We get cathedrals instead of the Lord’s church. After centuries of departure from the Scriptures, history is filled with wars and squabbling between “Protestants” and “Catholics”. We even fight over things like repentance, faith, grace and baptism. It is quite sad.

We even see this in the daily lives of Christians. In our prosperity and being free from the Law of Tithing, many give leftover scraps to the church, but spend to the limit of family income on homes, cars and vacations. Free from the constraints of “mandatory” gatherings, feasts and festivals and simply called together on the first day of the week, many find in that freedom a built in excuse to stay away from the assembly for sports, “family time” and convenience. It is quite sad.

Just like the reign of David, the assaults of distraction come from without and within. The church and her people are reacting to life and its plethora of alternatives to faithful living. All the while, another year passes and the lost are still lost. The hungry and thirsty are still hungry and thirsty. The hurt and open wounds from unforgiven wrongs become infected with bitterness in the body of Christ. Whether we are distracted by life events, scriptural bias or personal affronts, the effect is the same. Time and opportunity are wasted. Distractedness is destructive.

Like Israel, we are distracted by foes (“sins”) that should have long ago been vanquished. Like Israel, we struggle for power and position and rebel against Elders causing hurt and division instead of uniting under the headship of Jesus. Like Israel, petty squabbles plague the people of God incessantly. Like Israel, the “what might have been” is incalculable.

It is really quite sad. It is sadly quite avoidable. In His patience, God watches and weeps.

Consider His nature. Consider His ways. Strive to love Him more!