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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise After David confessed his sin and asked for your forgiveness, he said, “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (Ps 32:11). How wonderful to serve a God who delights to forgive and restore. Truly, you are “the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth…who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin” (Exod 34:6–7 NASB). I worship you today in gladness! Hallelujah! Today in Your Word Today you told me how Nathan the prophet confronted David for his sin. The story begins with the words, “And the Lord sent Nathan to David” (2 Sam 12:1a). These are words of grace, for you seek us out when we turn away from you. How grateful I am for grace that pursues me in my sin! Nathan approached David with tact and wisdom, and the method he used is an excellent example of how to confront someone in authority. His story struck David to the heart, for when we see our sin from your perspective, we realize how twisted and hideous our self-centeredness really is. Would that I always had eyes to see the true ugliness of sin! Unlike Saul, David repented in sorrow and sincerity. His prayer in Psalm 51 is a model of the kind of attitude you want from those who have sinned against you. You forgave David and restored his relationship with you, but you also told him that his son would die and the sword would not depart from his house. David sowed adultery and murder in secret, and he would reap the same “before all Israel” (2 Sam 12:12). This reminds me that you will not be mocked, “For whatever one sows, that will he also reap” (Gal 6:7). I can be forgiven, but I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. They will affect not only me, but also those under my authority. This gives me all the more reason to say ‘No!’ to temptation! Reflection David spent an entire week fasting and praying and laying on the ground before you, begging you to spare his child’s life. But when the child was dead, he “arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped” (2 Sam 12:20). Do I accept your answer of ‘No’ to my prayers with humility and reverence? Do I come and worship you even when I don’t get what I want? Request Father, I want to submit to your will and bring honor to your name. Help me, no matter the circumstances, to bow before you in humility and say, “Blessed be the name of the Lord”! Thanksgiving Thank you for the grace that you have poured out in my life. I’m so grateful that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Whiter than Snow” — James L. Nicholson. Meditation Verse: 2 Samuel 12:23. |