http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%2022-24;%201%20chron%2021-22,%20Psalm%2030,%2057&version=NIV
In 2 Samuel 24, David blew it again. Late in his reign as king, he sent his men to number the Israelites. This desire probably stemmed from pride in the growth of his kingdom during his reign. But David had a heart for God and realized his sin and confessed. God gave him his choice of punishment and David accepted it.
Here’s what Kay Arthur asks about David’s response to his own sin:
“Was that it for David? Would he never do anything great for God? Was his sin the end of his service? Was he simply to wait out the years of the fourfold consequence of his grave transgressions against God? Was he simply to deteriorate, decay, and rust out? Were his final years to be spent in contemplation of his sin? Remembering his transgressions, thinking of the what-ifs and if-onlys?”
Referring to 1 Chronicles 22, Kay Arthur points out that it’s not over for David - David remained useful in God’s kingdom work. Remember back in 2 Samuel ch 7 - David wanted to build a house for the Lord, but was denied. Since then, sin had piled upon sin, but near the end of David's life, God, in His amazing and extravagant grace, allowed David the honor of making preparations for building the house of the Lord.
Because of grace, David remained useful. He was able to press on with purpose. He was still able to do what he was created to do - to bring glory to God. In Psalm 30:5, we see David celebrating God’s grace and redemption as God turns his weeping into rejoicing.
Psalm 30:5 “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
You can see why David is called a man after God’s own heart. The honor of serving God by making preparations for the temple brought joy to David’s heart. His own sin broke his heart, but the grace of God repaired it. God has a hope and a future for us that nothing can nullify. If David had decided to spend his final years deteriorating in guilt, he would have missed the blessing of serving God. Instead he chose to keep his communication with God open through repentance and praise.
Getting stuck in our sin is exactly what Satan wants, but God wants to restore us. I encourage you to spend some time in Psalm 30 reflecting on God’s ability to restore joy through his grace and forgiveness.
Today's post submitted by Kelly Coxe
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment