God Speaks
King David with Bathsheba and the Consequences
Verse of the Day: [When his servants questioned his response to the death of his son, David answered,] “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:22-23 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 133
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding II Samuel 11-12 and I Chronicles 20:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
II Samuel 11
1. God is not pleased when people, even His anointed ones, break His commandments. In David’s case it was adultery and murder.
2. People, even those who love and rely on God like David did, can get into significant trouble if they neglect God, His word, and His ways.
II Samuel 12
1. God may use other people to call us out for our sins.
2. People can and should confess their sins to God as David did when confronted by Nathan; however, they will still suffer natural consequences and God’s loving discipline.
II Chronicles 20
There is no mention of God in this chapter. It only tells of military leaders, their exploits, and their enemies. Perhaps this is at least one reason David got into the trouble he did as recorded in 2 Samuel 11: he failed to consult God as he had so faithfully done in the past.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding II Samuel 11-12 and I Chronicles 20?
Dear covenant-keeping Father God, thank You that You always keep Your promises even when we mess up and sin and seemingly wreck Your plans. I’ve always wondered why You didn’t kill David for breaking two of Your commandments (adultery and murder) that both required the death penalty. Just now You showed me that You had already anointed him as king of Israel (the Jews) and promised to give him an everlasting dynasty. You could not and would not forsake Your solemn promise. You substituted taking the life of his innocent infant son for taking David’s life. This also foreshadowed Your substituting the life of the innocent and perfect Son of God for my sin-filled life so that I could have eternal life. You stated this in John 3:16. You went on to lay out the natural consequences of David’s sin and how the results of these consequences would break his heart. Thank You, LORD, for sending Jesus to die as my substitute so that I could be forgiven and free even though I may have to face the consequences of my sins. Holy Spirit, please keep me close and help me serve the LORD in loving gratitude. May the rest of my life bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to II Samuel 11-12 and I Chronicles 20? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will name my sins to God and seek His forgiveness on the basis of Christ’s death and resurrection.
- I will seek out an accountability partner and arrange to pray together when I am tempted to sin and vice versa.
- I will pray asking the Holy Spirit to bring to mind relevant scriptures to combat temptations when they come.
- I will accept God’s discipline and the consequences for my sin and not become discouraged or bitter.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.