(From our church-wide devotion book at Pinedale Christian Church, "You 2.0”)

READ 2 SAMUEL 11-12:15

David’s history moves from Shepard to Soldier to Son in Law of King Saul to Fugitive to Leader of an Army to King of Judah and Civil War, until finally, David becomes king of a united Israel.

He has captured Jerusalem, made it his Capitol and moved the Ark of the Covenant there. He has led Israel to victory over the Philistines, Moabites, Zobah, Syrians, Edomites, and Ammonites. He has seven wives and numerous sons and daughters.

It has been a run of success for David. He remains “a man after God’s own heart” and has all the positive rewards of a faithful life... but his heart is not safe.

It is the spring of the year, and David’s army is in the field and engaged in battle. David should be there as the leader, but he has chosen to remain in Jerusalem and enjoy the fruits of his labors.

He arises from a nap on his couch in the late afternoon, completely bored, and his idle mind is the devil’s workshop! At that moment, David commits a grave sin with Bathsheba, and with the resulting pregnancy initiates a cover-up that ends in murder. David takes Bathsheba as his wife, but he doesn’t consider how God feels about his actions.

The man after God’s own heart is the new owner of a cold heart. How did this happen? Did his success move his thoughts away from God? Did he come to believe he was self-sufficient and entitled to what he desired? His actions reflect selfish behavior and lack of concern for Bathsheba, her husband Uriah, his army commander Joab or God. In effect, David’s heart had turned cold toward God.

But God did not turn His heart away from David. He sent Nathan the prophet to David, and Nathan told David allegorical story. Suddenly, David remembers that God cares about his actions, and even though God forgives, David must live with the consequenceof his sin. His remaining years were filled with turmoil: Death, Rape, Incest, Murder, Rebellion, Humiliation, Civil War, all within the family of David.

You see, self-reliance quenches fire for God and turns it into cold ashes. Hardships can have the same effect. The story of Job is a great example.
Job is an upstanding, righteous man. In fact, God says, “‘...Have you considered my servant Job. That there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?’” (Job 1:8)

But God allows Job’s faith to be tested. Great torment follows, and Job’s wife and friends offer no mental comfort. Although Job does question why this was happening, he never loses his faith in God.

Some people experience a cold heart because of misplaced love. Satan presents a picture of the world that entices and excites people to want things in the place of or leaving no room for God.

In the New Testament, Demas is in love with the world and leaves both Paul and God. In 2 Timothy 4:10, Peter and the writer of Hebrews warn that turning back to the world after having known the way of righteousness will result in a worse condition than if they had never heard the gospel. This is because repentance will be much more difficult for those who have turned away from God – (2 Peter 2:17-22; Hebrews 6:4-6).

So how does one reignite a cold heart or prevent the loss of fire in the first place? Start by recognizing the warning signs.

WARNING SIGNS OF POTENTIAL LOSS OF FIRE FOR GOD
1. Loss of appetite for the word of God (Bible)
2. Neglect of Prayer
3. Absence from the assembly of the church
4. Uninvolved with the work of the church (Servant)
5. Reduced or No relationships with fellow Christians
6. Uninvolved in a Bible class
7. Critical spirit toward church and/or fellow Christians
8. Lack of concerns for others
9. Growing fondness for worldly things
10. Lack of regard for the Word of God (Bible)

SO HOW CAN YOU PREVENT

1. Regular attendance at church service
2. Bible Class membership and attendance
3. Christian Relationships (One Another)
4. Reading and Studying the Bible.5. Prayer in your life6. Serve others/Use your gifts7. Spiritual Growth 2 Peter 1:3-118. Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-24

As those who live in the North know, when temperatures plunge well below zero, few cars left outside will start. The oil thickens and holds engine parts like heavy syrup. Cold batteries are incapable of giving enough power. Only batteries that are kept warm or those that are frequently charged will do the job. Unused batteries freeze. If you attempt to charge a frozen battery, it can explode.

Unused spiritual batteries also die in the cold of unbelief. Only by regular use and by receiving power from an outside source can spiritual power be maintained. And any attempt to infuse spiritual power into a frozen spirit seldom works. Only a warm spiritual life can be charged with power by God.
Wayne Gropp, Chicago, Illinois. Leadership, Vol. 6, no. 4.