Passages: 2 Samuel 11&12, Psalm 51
The Sin
As we continue to look at the life of David we are in a period were David is ‘not a man after God’s heart’, and this passage looks at how The Lord brings David back to being ‘a man after God’s heart’.
David broke the commandments of The Lord, he broke 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
2 Samuel 11:27b But the thing David had done was evil in the eyes of The Lord.
This was because he forgot and broke the first commandments, he put himself before God, he basically made an idol of himself and worshipped himself, doing as he pleased thinking he was above correction or consequences.
The wonderful thing about The Lord is that He doesn’t want to leave us in our sin and unforgiven state. He wants to restore us back to a right relationship with Him.
The Rebuke
The Lord took control and sent Nathan to David, but Nathan didn’t immediately rebuke but he told him a parable, about the rich man with many sheep who took the poor man’s precious lamb.
This acted to awaken David from his spiritual slumber. David’s heart for justice exploded.
In David’s rage, Nathan with a broken heart to someone he loved, said “You are the man!”.
A rebuke should always be done in love and never anger.
Anger provokes and love heals.
Next in 2 Samuel 12:7-10 the Lord through Nathan set out before David:
- all God had achieved for him
- the sin he had committed
- the consequences
As we think about our sin:
- Why is it important that we are confronted with these and how do these allow us to deal with our sin?
The Repentance
David realised that he had sinned against God.
- He Admitted he had done wrong – 2 Samuel 12:13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
- He didn’t try to Justify himself
- He Accepted the consequences
- He was Devastated
- He looked to The Lord
Why are all of these important as we Repent?
The Restoration
God blessed David and Bathsheba.
Joab helped to restore David as he called him to act like a king and be where a king should be.
David was now focused on the right thing, in the right place, and with the right attitude, humbly following God.
As we are restored may this be our experience.
It could be said that restoration is the hardest element of this whole process, why are guilt and shame so difficult to deal with? How can we overcome them
As we allow God to deal with our sin and face up to what is required of us it will help us to become more like Jesus and introduce others to him, as we Worship God Wholeheartedly.
Next Week
As we journey through the Bible let us ask, how does knowing this help me to become wise for salvation through faith in Jesus?
- What does it teach me?
- How does it rebuke me?
- Is it correcting something in my life?
- What training can I put into place to help me live a righteous life?
- How is this equipping me for every good work?
Additional questions you may wish to consider for personal study or in Life Groups.
Apply
As I reflect what have I found interesting?
As I reflect what has challenged my life, attitudes and actions?
Is there one practical step I can apply to my life to help me to become more like Jesus?
How would this help me to introduce others to Jesus?
Is there there anything I need to pray about, explore further or extra help I need?
Is there someone I should share with, pray with or encourage?
Trinity Deeper 