August 30th - Reflection

2 Samuel 11:27b-12:15 (NRSV)

Nathan rebukes David But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord, and the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, "There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds; but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. He brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his meager fare, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him. Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was loath to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb, and prepared that for the guest who had come to him." Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man. He said to Nathan, "As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity."

Nathan said to David, "You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul; I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more. Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, for you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife. Thus says the Lord: I will raise up trouble against you from within your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this very sun. For you did it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun." David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." Nathan said to David, "Now the Lord has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child that is born to you shall die." Then Nathan went to his house.

The Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and it became very ill.

Reflection

There is forgiveness of sin, but that doesn't negate the consequences of our sin. Our sin spreads wider than just the sinner and one more. It spreads to hurt the lives of so many by-standers associated with the sinner. David's sin here is more than just representative of adultery however. David's sin in this case represents all situations where we have taken advantage of another person in a position open to our greed.

Whenever we take advantage of a person due to our position or power. When we take advantage of a person due to our use of money and their lack of money, we sin. David had concubines and many women, but felt the need for one more and followed through with adultery and murder. Perhaps Bathsheba was a victim or perhaps she saw this as an opportunity to move up in the world. It all gets messy and lives are hurt that are innocent.

As quickly as David repents, God forgives though. But repentance and forgiveness does not erase the harm done by the sin. We live with that sin and must look even more intently towards God for salvation. When we sin an exclamation mark with a cross in the middle stands boldly in our lives. In Jesus' act of salvation we cling  for dear life. Our priorities change and we are humbled before God and one another. In our sin we feel deeply that need for salvation and we appreciate that act of forgiveness to the gut of our being. Salvation becomes real, not just a sweet saying. Repentance is deep and love is everlasting.

This was a turning point for David. He faced it and God faced David. So too this could be for me or for you. Thanks be to God!

Prayer

Lord, thank you for sending those wonderful people who boldly point out sin. Open my eyes to my sin and hear my repentance. Allow me to smell the stench of my sin and to know the damage I have done. I have a deep need for forgiveness and your salvation. You are my only hope and I humbly turn to you. Forgive me I pray and permit me to continue my walk with you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen