The Law of Solid Ground Part 9
David Faces His Sin-Psalm 51:3, 4
David wrote Psalm 51 shortly after he committed adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11:1-12:15). When Nathan confronted him about his sin, the King fell to the floor and wept in bitter repentance. He publicly sought restoration as a king and as a spiritual man, as this great psalm demonstrates. Because of his repentant heart, God allowed him to remaining in office until he died.
Why, then, are some leaders removed from office when they fail morally? Why could David remain King? The answer may lie in the Law of Solid Ground. David practiced this law and maintained his trust in God. Those who do not repent after some failure—or who do so only for public show—often lose their positions. Some sins no doubt disqualify leaders from continuing in leadership, but more fail in leadership from their deceptions than from their mistakes. History teaches that the public usually forgives a leader who owns up to his mistakes, but refuses to forgive those who remain unrepentant.
Mistakes don’t have to prove fatal; we all make them. But when a leader deceives the people and loses their trust, they will no longer follow him or her.
Join me next time for The Law of Solid Ground Part 10.