Several years ago the world was shocked to hear of the death of one of our generation's great comedians, Robin Williams. When I was younger I loved to watch the show Mork and Mindy and the Disney movie Aladdin is still one of my favorite movies of all times, due in part to Williams doing the voice of the genie. He starred in many amazing TV shows and movies and as you know he had an amazing talent to make people laugh. His tragic suicide, however, should serve to remind us of a few important things.

“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”

How many of you have written the wrong year on a check or form so far this year? Maybe I should have asked how many times you have done it. Most of us have a hard time putting the correct date for at least the first two or three weeks, if not the first two or three months. I’m sure that two at the end of 2022 has had to be doctored a few thousand times to make a 3 since the stroke of midnight that started the New Year. 

If you are like me, at some point in your life you have taken a road that had some unexpected results. Sometimes the results of the road previously not taken are unbelievably marvelous. Sometimes the results of that road are excruciatingly disastrous. However, I think most of the time the results fall somewhere in the middle. I experienced something like that a few years ago.

This is the token of the covenant which I make between Me and you…I do set My bow in the clouds.” - Genesis 9:12-13

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

David is the most beloved king of the Old Testament. The nickname “the man after God’s own heart” tells us that not only did God choose to overlook his indiscretions when he repented, but the people of God throughout history have chosen to focus rather on the positive aspects of the beloved king. Yet, as we have already established, there are plenty of consequences for those actions. One of which is the coup that takes place by Absalom.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 15:57

“Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house…” (2 Samuel 12:10). Those are the kind of words that will keep you awake every night. How will they be fulfilled? Who all will have to pay for my sins? How will it begin and when will it end?

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10