When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. 2 Samuel 12: 19, 20, NKJV.
Merciful God, thank You for not dealing with us, according to our sins. Please continue to have mercy upon us, for Christ’s sake. Amen.
For many years David has been one of my favorite Bible characters. Nevertheless, as I studied the lesson this week, I began to feel very angry toward him, for the way in which he had abused his authority, and ruined the lives of so many people. I began to wonder why God had shown him so much favor when he had been so unkind to Bathsheba and Uriah. After all, I reasoned, God is no respecter of persons – and He hates sin! A few days later, I was thanking God that He had not dealt with me, or anyone else, according to our sins! It was wonderful to call to remembrance that although God hates the sin, He loves the sinner!
Our Scripture for today, is taken from the scene that took place when the first child that was born to David and Bathsheba died. For days David had lain prostrate on the ground before the LORD, not eating or drinking anything. It is most likely that he was confessing his sins and pleading for God’s forgiveness, in order that the child might live. Through the prophet Nathan, God had already told David, that because God had forgiven him, he would not die. Therefore, it was for the life of the child, that David pleaded.
God did not grant David what he asked for – the child died. Unlike what everyone had expected, David did not sink into a great depression. Instead, he rose to His feet, took a bath, changed his clothes, went to the house of God and worshipped, and then sat down to eat! His servants, were not expecting this kind of behavior; they were fearing the worst. No one had wanted to give the king the sad news, for fear of the effect it would have had on him. So when the servants saw his unusual behavior, they asked him what was the reason for it. His answer was quite simple: While the child was still alive, there was hope that God would have had compassion on me and spared the child’s life, but now that the child is dead, there is nothing more to do. His relationship to God had not been affected by the death of his child, or because of an unanswered prayer. God had granted him grace sufficient for the situation!
David’s attitude in the face of tragedy, is similar to that of Job (Job 1: 20). However, David knew why he was being punished – Job did not. But the emphasis at this time, is not on the sin, or, the sinner; but on the unfailing grace of our great Savior! Both Job and David would never have had the strength to go forward, had it not been for the matchless grace of God!
My friends, God’s grace has always been available! From the moment sin entered our world, God set His grace into motion. The greater the sin, the more abundant His grace – that men might learn to love the Savior, and hate the sin! Whether it be David or Job, you or me, is not important – because all have sinned, and sin brings suffering! At every step of our journey, we need God’s grace. The next time we find ourselves wondering why God is so merciful to the sinner, let us remember, that it is not about us; it is all about the height and depth, length, and breadth, of God’s love and amazing grace – and let us praise Him for it!