Notice how David accepts the Lord’s sovereignty and authority to deal with his sin.  He doesn’t rebel, but he does plead for mercy for this first son from the woman he desired.

 

When we do wrong, if we repent, God forgives us, and He also challenges us.   Those He loves He chastises, to bring us back into fellowship with Him and to help us grow more Christ-like.  He is in the restoration business! 

 

Hebrews 12 says, “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.”  So God’s discipline is part of a true Christian’s life.

 

Notice that in this passage David re-focuses on his relationship with God.  David turned to God and pleaded with him to fulfill his hope that the child would not die.  David knew that his only hope in getting his desire fulfilled was through God.  So he gave God his full attention by fasting and praying for 7 days. His servants expected him to have a “pity party” once the child died, but David’s motivation was all about his relationship with God.     Once the child was dead, he turned to God and worshipped Him.  He was able to accept God’s punishment, move on and still glorify him. Nonetheless, David’s actions did hurt others.

 

When Jan and I were in Florida, we were driving our 1997 Crown Victoria, and a young man negligently driving his Dad’s pickup drove into the back of us.    God protected us beautifully – no harm to us physically, or mentally.  The car was totaled.   But, even though we praise Him that we were protected, we, like unappreciative children, are still saying, “But we loved that car and the replacement is not as nice.”   Talk about finding it hard to fully glorify God and move on.

 

Again we see in every case, including David’s, that disobeying any of God’s Ten Commandments can cause great pain and brokenness in others.

 

A fellow traveler,

 

Roger