I was once watching this YouTube video about a family who had gone on a jungle safari to Africa.
You know, one of those tours where you travel in a van to areas where wild animals such as lions, zebras and giraffes are uncaged and roaming around freely.
Now the key is to stay inside the safety of the van.
Outside of certain designated safe spots, you are to NEVER step outside of your vehicle no matter how safe it seems outside.
It doesn’t matter if there are no animals in sight.
Because you never know…
There could be a carnivorous predator lurking right around the corner.
Well, in this video I was watching, the father of the family decided to do the one foolhardy thing you are to never do.
He stepped outside of the van, thinking it was safe and everything would be okay.
Within seconds, he found himself surrounded by lions.
The next instant he was being torn apart and eaten alive in front of his family.
Here’s a link to the video if you wanna see it:
But if you’re squeamish, I don’t recommend watching it.
I mean, imagine the horror of being torn apart in front of your family.
Now why do I mention this?
Well, here’s the lesson.
When we stick close to God’s Word and remain firmly in His Will…
It’s like we’re sitting inside a protective van that keeps us safe from all the wild animals outside.
But if we step outside of God’s protection…
Even for a second…
Trouble is waiting to bite.
If you’re lucky, you’ll make it back, bruised with only a broken bone or two.
But if you’re not so lucky…
Your misstep could be fatal…
This is what happened to the man who got torn apart by lions in front of his family.
Similarly, this is what happened to David when he stepped outside of the spiritual protection of his van.
His YETSER HARA (evil inclination) got the better of him.
And he got mauled by the sin that overtook him.
His mistakes didn’t just hurt him…
They followed his kids and haunted him for life.
So, stay inside the safety of God’s “van.”
It’s too dangerous to venture outside…
Even for a second.
Ya feel me?
Next time, we’ll get back to the story of David and Bathsheba.
What nationality was Bathsheba, who was married to a Hittite?
Here you go courtesy of a quick Google search:
Bathsheba is an Israelite, but because she was married to Uriah the Hittite, some interpreters thought that she was also a foreigner. Bathsheba is one of the four women mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew, though she is not named but referred to as “the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”