David & Bathsheba

  

David, Bathsheba, & Birth of Solomon – 2 Samuel 11-12

 

Yesterday, we held up David’s honorable nature displayed in his treatment of Saul.  Today we read about the dishonorable side of his nature in the events concerning Bathsheba and Uriah her husband. Adultery, murder, cover-up abound in this story.  David sleeps with Uriah’s wife, has him killed, then tries to cover it up.  He marries Bathsheba. The prophet Nathan cleverly confronts his hideous behavior and David sees his despicable behavior for what it is.  Then in chapter 12, we learn that Solomon, the future king of Israel is born to Bathsheba.  If you were to read the rest of the book of 2 Samuel, you would learn that David’s life is never the same after this whole affair.  His actions set in motion a cascade of actions that would continue to stir dissension and unrest in his house for the rest of his days.  It is really quite tragic. 

My aim in these devotions is to always try to offer a hopeful word.  And there is hope in the end of David’s story.  Despite his flawed character, God used him to establish the united Kingdom of Israel, a nation that persists to this day.  He is the author of many Psalms that continue to comfort and inspire millions. He is remembered as a “man after God’s own heart.”  Despite the dismal last chapter of his life, David shaped the hopes of a nation for a Messiah that persisted until Christ came.  Taken as a whole, David’s life is still heroic.

But today’s episode is undeniably a cautionary tale.  Following our unhealthy desires have consequences that cannot be undone.  The sin can be forgiven, but the natural consequences remain.  David came to accept that and found peace with God in the end.  His last recorded words give testimony to that in 2 Samuel 23.  But if he sees Bathsheba and walks away, his life doesn’t spiral out of control like it did.  Our choices matter, sometimes a lot.  I’m going to let that sit with us today. 

 

Prayer:  God help us keep our thoughts and actions steered toward the ways that you teach us.  Help us to sincerely repent (turn away) when we stray. Amen.

 

Prayer Focus:  Pray for those who are dealing with the consequences of their ill-chosen actions.

 

Song:  Your Heart (David) – Chris Tomlin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aWEhNqnjuY

Forgiveness Does Not Remove Consequences

Genesis 3:23, NIV - So the Lord God banished [Adam] from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.

 

Proverbs 3:11-12, NIV - My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in

 

Though God did forgive Adam for disobedience, there were still consequences.  Forgiving someone does not remove natural or imposed consequences of the offending action.  As Rob Bell has said, “You can forgive someone and call the police.”  Obviously, many actions have consequences that are natural and cannot be removed.  For instance, imagine a situation where a friend had agreed to pick you up in his car to take you to a job interview. He doesn’t show up, and consequently you miss the interview and your chance to get the job is lost.  Forgiving that friend is certainly possible, but getting another interview for the same job is not.  The consequence cannot be avoided, but forgiveness is still a possibility.

                There are other instances where you may choose to forgive but also impose consequences.  In the job interview situation above, you may decide to never accept a ride from the friend when something important like a job interview is at stake.  You have imposed that consequence, but that does not preclude the choice you make to forgive your forgetful friend.  Even if you, at a later date, decide to remove that consequence and give your friend another chance, that decision is still separate from the decision to forgive. What is important to note here is that whether the consequences are natural or imposed, they are a separate issue from forgiveness.  When consequences are removed, it is often called a pardon, as is the case with a Presidential Pardon.  The President often pardons people who have previously been convicted of crimes and consequences have been imposed.  While the person receiving such a pardon has the consequences removed, the people hurt by their crime are not forced to forgive the person. The forgiveness and the pardon are independent from each other.

                As a good parent does with errant children, God often imposes consequences in hopes of correcting unhealthy behavior.  It’s important to note that consequences, when imposed wisely, are never given for the purpose of hurting or punishing the other.  God and good parents are interested not in hurting, but helping the straying child.  Being on the receiving end of helpful impositions is not pleasant, but trusting that God is trying to help us can make the “pill” easier to swallow. 

 

Question:  Can you think of a time when consequences for a mistake you made helped you in the long run?

 

Prayer:  God, thank you for loving us enough to care about when make mistakes.  Help me see the places in my life where I need correction and the grace to accept that correction when it is offered. Amen.

 

Prayer Focus:  Pray for God to give wisdom to people facing an important decision.

 

Song:  Good, Good Father

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ak0OoFBw3c