The Prophet and a King!

Narrative stories in the Old Testament, can easily be reread at many spots by adding your own name in. Today, in 2 Samuel 12, Nathan confronts David. The scary part is that when I read it, this is how it sounded in my head.

"Then Nathan said to Stan. Why have you done this awful thing? Why have you turned your back on your God? Why have you found it so difficult to do as He says? Although God has forgiven you, God will take away your son."

I have not sinned in the manner that David has in the last 2 chapters of 2 Samuel. But there are countless occasions where I have failed God. Where God has turned to me and given me opportunities and I have squandered them. Why have I turned my back on my God? Why would I ever do such a thing?

And then as punishment God will take his son's life. This has never happened to me either and I pray I don't have to see one of my children pass away before I do. I can't even imagine the gut-wrenching pain that parents who watch their young children pass away must experience. And while I pray it never happens to me, I can't help but marvel at David's choice of action.

He mourns for seven days, praying for the life of his son, praying to God to spare him, breaking down in ashes in prayer to the Lord. When his son finally dies, David's advisors fear that David will go off the deep end. When he finds out, he takes a shower, shaves and goes to the Temple to worship God and moves on with the responsibilities of a King.

Although this extreme situation has never happened to me, I still can't help but think, "Would I respond this way if one of my children died? If one of my children got cancer and passed away before they were ten, would I embrace my God more closely when they had passed or would I be furious at God and not even want to enter into fellowship with Him?"

Oh God! Grow my faith. Lead me to be more like David. Although he was a man with sin like the rest of us, lead me to be a man of faith as he was. A man of repentance and sorrow. Break my heart oh God when I sin. Turn me to You in Godly sorrow and repentance. Forgive me God when I fail You. Forgive me for being so prideful and assuming that I am above sin. Forgive me for my thoughts that should never be thought. Forgive my eyes for dwelling where they shouldn't. Cleanse me God. Make me right and pure in Your eyes. I love you, oh Lord, my God!

Created almost 3 years ago