"Only a boy named David..."

 Last week we learned more about David.  Usually when I hear about David, I think of David and Goliath.  (and several childrens' songs immediately pop into my head) But this sermon was not about the great battle with Goliath, but rather David's story of weakness in his relationship with Bathsheba.  David's kingdom was at war.  It was expected that all men, including the king, would go off to fight in the battle.  However, David decided that he did not WANT to go fight.  He would rather stay in his comfy castle.  While he was enjoying luxury, David had seen Bathsheba bathing and had decided that he wanted her.  He sent his servants for her and they brought her back to David and he had his way with her.  The only problem was Bathsheba was married to Uriah.  Now this little "incident" could all have been swept under the rug, but unfortunately, Bathsheba became pregnant.   David and Bathsheba knew very well that such acts were punishable by death.  David panicked. He called Uriah home and tried several ways to get him to go home to his wife, however, Uriah was an honorable man.  Knowing that he should be fighting, not home with his wife, he refuses to go home.  David really panics.  So he sent Uriah back to the battle with a letter to give his commander.  The letter asked the commander to put Uriah in the front line of the heaviest part of battle, then retreat, leaving Uriah to die.  The order was followed and David's plan was completed.  He eventually married Bathsheba and their child was born.  But through the prophet Nathan, he eventually saw the error in his ways and repented.
 David made a big ole mess of things. I mean he didn't just break the rules, he violated some of the "biggies" of the 10 commandments.  Even through all of this, God still called David "a man after God's own heart."  What?!? After all of that?  hmmm. 
 David's sin did not define his relationship with God.  God's love defined their relationship.  
Think of a rolling chair.  If I am sitting at a desk and I push off of the desk in the rolling chair, I move...not the desk.  God is like the desk.  When we sin (intentionally do wrong against God, self or others) we separate ourselves from God...God does not move.  Our sin ultimately results in separation from God.  There is a distance between us.
The immediate consequences vary.  Stealing a pack of gum from a store is much different than murdering someone.  The consequences are different.   Please don't misunderstand - a mistake is not sin.  Sin is intentional. 
Even through all of this, there is absolutely nothing you can do to make God love you any less.  There is nothing you can do to make God love you more.  God's love is constant.  Sin may separate us from God, but it does not change His love for us. Thank goodness. Little David and his victory over Goliath is a great story, but being a man after God's own heart, even after all that mess, is the heart of God's message to us and the cross.  Now that's a great story:)