The Divine Bottom Line Workshop Lessons adapted from the book, ‘Unveiling the Diva Mystique, Written By Michelle McKinney Hammond Session #2 *(Some sections may have been altered to suit today’s workshop) Divine Restoration And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” Then David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her and lay with her. So she born a son, and he called his name Solomon. Now the Lord loved him, and He sent word by the hand of Nathan the prophet; so he called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord. Behind the Veil Bathsheba stretched, allowing the air to wrap around her like a warm blanket. Languishing in the feel of the water pouring over her body like liquid fingers cleansing and gently massaging her limbs, she reveled in this time of purification. From her perch on the roof, she truly felt above all the affairs of the day. She thought of her husband, Uriah, strong and brave, away at battle, and wondered how he fared. For a moment, she almost felt guilty for feeling so free, so relaxed while he faced such danger. Her thoughts were interrupted by a feeling---a feeling she was being watched. But who could it be? All the houses were either on the same level or slightly beneath hers. Most people in her neighborhood utilized their rooftops as much as they did the rest of the house. Turning ever so slightly, her eyes came to rest on the palace that rose above all the homes in the area. Thinking she saw a movement, she turned fully to get a better look, but saw no one. Not being able to shake the feeling, she covered herself and descended the stairway leading back to solid ground. Perhaps being alone so long was beginning to play tricks on her mind and make her paranoid. She prayed Uriah would return home soon. She was lonely. Shortly after eating her dinner, the knock came. Sharp and authoritative. A sense of foreboding churned within her as she made her way to the door. One of the king’s guards stood before her, and instantly she clutched her hands to her chest. Was it Uriah? What had gone wrong? Was he all right? But this had nothing to do with her husband. They king had requested an audience with her. With me? What could he possibly want? Well perhaps he wanted to give her news concerning Uriah……. But why wouldn’t the king just send someone to relay the message? Her mind was jumbled as she followed the guard, whose face gave no hint of what this could be all about. And then she was there. Standing before him, thinking he was even more handsome close up then the glimpses she had been able to gather of him from afar during processionals. She had been privy to his dance through the streets with the ark, literally celebrating himself right out of his clothes as the woman still loved to discuss. As she bowed before him, he seemed taller, larger than life. She waited, but still no word of Uriah, only an invitation to dine with him. This heightened her confusion as she waited to discover the reason for this unusual summons. He seemed a bit too relaxed and social to be calling her for urgent business. She had heard of his side-ranging taste in women, but she would not allow her thoughts to go any further down that road. Surely he knew she was the wife of Uriah. She had already eaten, but how do you say no to a king? Lightly tasting the sumptuous fare presented to her, she waited for the purpose of her visit to be revealed. She had to admit that he was rather charming, and when he leaned toward her, she was disturbed by what she felt. Perhaps Uriah had been gone too long. She chided herself, trying to stave off the inappropriate thoughts and feelings that were washing over her in waves. It seemed as if he were moving closer and closer to her. Was it her imagination or wishful thinking? It was hard for her to separate her thoughts with any sense of clarity when he touched her and ever so lightly began to caress her. A myriad of thoughts swirled in her head. She felt as though she were fighting to keep her head above water. Water that was slowly and forcefully taking her under its spell. The law came to mind. She should push him away. She should cry for help. It was the only chance she had at maintaining her innocence. But he was the king. How do you accuse the king of rape? And was it really? Perhaps she had unwittingly played some part in this. Perhaps she had wanted him just as badly as he wanted her. But it was so wrong. It was so wrong…… As she made her way back home in the corners of the night, she prayed fervently although she could not remember for what. Even if he never called her again, it would never be over. Though she thought she saw traces of regret in his eyes afterward and he had gently sent her away, she knew they both would be haunted by this night forever. Why couldn’t Uriah be like every other husband who simply worked and stayed at home? Why did he have to be so passionate about being a soldier? It was all his fault. His absence had put her in this position. No, it was David’s fault. Just because he was king did not mean he could take whom he pleased. He certainly did not live above God’s law even though he chose to live above his own. Perhaps it was her fault. Had she invited his lust by bathing on the rooftop? No, it was where she always bathed. She and countless other women in Israel. Whether she was a victim or volunteer for what had occurred she could not decided. God help me. Forgive both of us…… Weeks passed and the dread within her stomach grew into a ball of conception. She knew it! It would have been far too simple for life to overlook the events of that night and tuck them beneath the stars where they belonged among the only silent witnesses who would keep such a secret. But now the light of day and the accuracy of time would broadcast their dalliance in clear view. She sent a simple message to him while wondering how he would choose to solve this dilemma. After all, he was the king was he not? “I am with child,” it stated. The ball was now in his court. Uriah was beckoned from the war. She was not sure if that was the solution she was seeking because she did not know how she could face him without him looking into her soul and seeing the truth. But dear Uriah, she should have known that should be the least of her fears. He refused to come to her bed, citing he could not enjoy the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers fought. How could she tell him that being principled at a time like this could do them more harm than good without betraying herself and her actions to him? She waited for the other shoe to drop. And drop it did. Sending Uriah back to the battlefield carrying his own death sentence in a note to Joab, he sealed his fate with his sense of honor. The word came as she rested one afternoon, already feeling the effects of her pregnancy. Uriah was dead. Killed in the heat of battle. Now what? She descended into her mourning, not being able to separate who she was really grieving for---herself or Uriah. As her period of bereavement came to a close, a knock came at the door again. She was to join David in the palace as his wife. Before she could even question what or how or why, she found herself facing David, his face even more gentle than before, reassuring her everything would be all right. He would take care of her and protect her. Perhaps that was true of the outside world, but nothing could protect her from the eyes of the women of the court and the palace intrigue that raged after her arrival. None would dare say a word openly about what they perceived. Nathan the prophet came, boldly confronting David in the presence of all who could hear it. Though God forgave David the moment he repented. He would not excuse them from the consequences. The child would die. How much death am I to bear? Bathsheba wondered. Her husband, her baby, her life as she had known it ebbed away as she watched this small beauty breathe its last breath. And then David was there. After fasting and praying before the Lord, he had chosen to wash himself and comfort her. It seemed in the midst of their suffering a bond had formed that would never be broken. Though many would never understand how she came to claim his heart, she knew it was an act of grace from God that bound him to her and restored the life she thought she had lost. A lifetime-and-a-half later, Bathsheba looked upon her dying husband David. No longer a naïve young woman but a seasoned veteran of kingdom living and the wise mother of four sons, she stood before him and gently reminded him of his promise to pass the crown to Solomon, her eldest son. He was ready. She had purposed in her heart from the beginning to teach him wisdom from the things she had learned, as well as the mistakes she had made. To instill in him principles that would cause him to walk in favor with God and with man. He had been a bright and willing student, surpassing her expectations. Now the day had come. It seemed as if only yesterday David had sent for her. They had weathered much together. Open shame, uprisings, rebellions, disgrace, family dysfunction, but nothing had displaced their love and trust for one another. In a moment, her friend would be leaving her and taking the secrets they were able to keep with him. She resolved, as she gazed upon her son, her work on earth was not yet done. SHE COULD HAVE: Become hysterical from the unfolding events that seemed beyond her control and chosen to be a victim rather than a victor in her circumstance. *WHAT SETS YOU APART? You have the ability to live and flourish in spite of the trials that threaten to rob you of the life you have imagined. The ability to exercise prudence and discretion when it is crucial to your very existence and make your trail work for you instead of against you, emerging the better for it. LIFE LESSON: Self-pity is a foe not an ally. In order to reclaim the broken pieces of your life, as well as the things you feel you’ve lost, you must willfully rise above the disappointment and questions that can flood your being. Chart a new course on the map you’ve been handed, believing you can reach a destination called victory. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all Psalm 34:19
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 03:14:53 +0000
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