“In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army” (2 Samuel 11:1).

This is one of the most descriptive sentences in the Bible. This reads like the introduction to a movie, an epic, an intro to a fairy tale. Unfortunately, for David, this would turn out to be a nightmare.

There are several key lessons we learn about living a God-honoring life and character from this verse. As many of you know, this is the story of David and Bathsheba.

The first spiritual lesson we learn from this verse is you can avoid a whole lot of trouble when you are where you are supposed to be.

• “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war…”
• It’s spring time. It’s the time when kings go off to war
• David is a king
• Thus, what we expect to read next is that David went out with Joab and his men to battle.
• But that’s not what we get

David remained in Jerusalem while he sent out his army to battle. David’s supposed to be with his men, leading them in battle. Had David been where he was supposed to be, Bathsheba never happens.

That’s the case with us too. If we are where we are supposed to be – at work, in the office, at the gym, at church, at school, at home, wherever – at the time that we are supposed to be there, sin doesn’t have an opportunity. Sin always lurks around in the shadows of secrecy and lies.

Be where you are supposed to be, when you’re supposed to be there, and you can avoid a whole lot of heartache.

The second spiritual lesson is secrecy kills character. Someone ought to always know where you are. If you find yourself intentionally hiding your location, something is fishy. Even when I step out of the office for a little while, I always tell our staff where I’m off too. I do that to keep myself accountable. Someone ought to always know where I am. This is for my protection.

You want to live a God-honoring life? Be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there. Avoid secrecy. Secrecy kills character.

“If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, LORD, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you” (Psalm 130:3-4).

God is sovereign. God is omnipotent. God is omniscient.

And, God is loving. God is kind. God is merciful.

God foresaw our every sin, our every failure, our every backsliding. God knew everything about us.

YET, God sent his Son to die for us.

YET, God chooses to pursue the lost.

YET, God forgives repeat sinners.

What can we do in view of such love but worship him?

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

Jesus tells us why he came to earth – “to seek and save the lost.”

• Want to follow Jesus? – seek and reach lost people.
• Want to grow and mature as a follower of Jesus? – seek and reach lost people.
• Want to be a part of God’s kingdom ministry? – seek and reach lost people.
• Want to know the joy of being a part of something that is impacting the eternal destinies of people? – seek and reach lost people.
• Want to see your church grow? – seek and reach lost people.
• Want to see God working in your community? – seek and reach lost people.
• Want to see blessing families and marriages? – seek and reach lost people.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

If you follow Jesus – seek and reach lost people with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

God’s plan for the church of Jesus Christ? – for the church to seek and reach lost people.