David and Bathsheba

“I have sinned against the Lord,” David confessed to Nathan. Then Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin. But you have given great opportunity to the enemies of the Lord to despise and blaspheme him, so your child shall die.” 2 Samuel 12:13, 14

One night King David couldn’t get to sleep and went for a stroll on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking her evening bath. He sent to find out who she was and was told that she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. David sent for her and he slept with her and she became pregnant. 

The sin...as is often the case...resulted in more sin in attempt to hide the original. David sent a memo to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” Of course the plan was to get Uriah to sleep with his wife...letting David off the hook. When Uriah arrived, David told him to go home and relax, but he refused, saying, “The Ark and the armies and the general and his officers are camping out in open fields, and should I go home to wine and dine and sleep with my wife? I swear that I will never be guilty of acting like that.” 

Uriah was more righteous than the king. 

So, David wrote a letter to Joab instructing Him to put Uriah at the front of the hottest part of the battle—and then pull back and leave him there to die. The results were predictable. When Bathsheba heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. David sent for her and brought her to the palace and she became one of his wives; and she gave birth to his son.

“But...the Lord was very displeased with what David had done.”

Nathan confronted David. The Lord God of Israel says, “You are that rich man!  ‘I made you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. I gave you his palace and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah; and if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more!” David was filled with remorse and cried. “I have sinned against the Lord,” “Yes”, Nathan replied, “but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.” 

Then Nathan said, as a result of your sin murder shall be a constant threat in your family from this time on because you have insulted God by taking Uriah’s wife. Because of what you have done, God will cause your own household to rebel against you. God will give your wives to another man, and he will go to bed with them in public view.  And...your child will die.

Why was God so angered? We recall from chapter seven that God’s blessings are intended so that [His] name will be great forever.‘ David was acting just like any other heathen and he had given cause for the enemies of the Lord to despise and blaspheme him. But that isn’t the end of the story. Because David confessed his sin, God forgave him and said he wouldn’t die. The consequences were so severe David likely would have preferred his own death. However, we are not given the ability to determine the consequence of our sin for others...only for ourselves.

Are we holding any sin and refusing to confess it? Remember, “If we confess our sins to him, he can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. And it is perfectly proper for God to do this for us because Christ died to wash away our sins.”

Live boldly out there today...

But, my love will never be taken from him

“I will put one of your sons upon your throne, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who shall build me a temple. And I will continue his kingdom into eternity. I will be his father and he shall be my son. If he sins, I will use other nations to punish him, but my love and kindness shall not leave him as I took it from Saul, your predecessor.”
2 Samuel 7:12-15

We Christians...if we’re honest...must admit we constantly struggle with sin. Sin is an addiction passed on to us from our parents, through their parents...all the way back to our original parents in the garden. In the parlance of AA, we are “recovering sinners.” This truth has two debilitating consequences; One, we can fall into depression that we never seem to “get it right.” Two, we be come fearful that God could never truly love somebody who is so prone to wickedness.

Don’t fall into either trap. They’re the devil’s devices meant to immobilize us.

And, this truth is not only ubiquitous through the New Testament but is revealed fully in the Old Testament as well. When God made His covenant with David it was unconditional. “I will do this for you because I love you....and I will never stop loving you.”

God’s overture didn’t happen in a vacuum. Look at David’s response. “O Lord God, why have you showered your blessings on such an insignificant person as I am? And now, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving me an eternal dynasty! Such generosity is far beyond any human standard! O Lord God! What can I say? For you know what I am like! You are doing all these things just because you promised to and because you want to!” 

When we understand our lives are all a consequence of God’s grace and mercy...not a result of our own worth, our depression is transformed into motivation to satisfy God. Our fear is transformed into gratitude that God loves us because of who He is, not because of who we are. He may discipline us but...He will never abandon us.

Live boldly out there today...

...so that Your name will be great forever

 “And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever.‘
2 Samuel 7:25, 26

God told David, I chose you to be the leader of my people Israel when you were a mere shepherd. I have been with you wherever you have gone and have destroyed your enemies. And I will make your name greater yet, so that you will be one of the most famous men in the world! I have selected a home where the heathen nations won’t bother them. Your descendants shall rule this land for generations to come, for when you die...I will put one of your sons upon your throne, and I will make his kingdom strong and will continue it
into eternity. I will be his father and he shall be my son. If he sins, I will use other nations to punish him, but my love and kindness shall not leave him as I took it from Saul. Your family shall rule my kingdom forever.’”

This is the Davidic Covenant...

And, David’s response is to be expected... from a man after God’s own heart. “And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever.” David’s desire was not for personal gain but for God’s name to be glorified. 

As humans it’s difficult to be content with what we have. We want more...as we observe in David’s sin with Bathsheba. We receive blessing after blessing and wonder if that’s all there is. We end up being rich paupers. This begs the question; is God most glorified when we are thankful or when we are jealous?

Of course, God doesn’t want glory simply for Himself. He wants glory so He can draw all people unto Himself. When our lives, in their richness, glorify God  people will be moved to consider Him. Conversely, when our lives, in their paucity, honor God people will be moved to seek His unction. 

I suspect God is inclined to benevolence toward people who seek His glory because it serves His purpose, not ours. A good question, when I’m feeling like a rich pauper is...whose glory am I seeking?

Live boldly out there today...