Devotions ... Owning up

When David stayed home while his men went to war (2 Samuel 11:26 – 12:13), he found himself idle. Although he had many wives and concubines to satisfy his fleshly desires, he bedded the wife of Uriah the Hittite who became pregnant. He tried to hide his sin by getting Uriah called back to Jerusalem and giving him leave to go home to be with his wife but it was unconscionable to him to enjoy his family while his friends were laying down their lives for their country and king. David then had Uriah killed by putting him on the front lines and after Bathsheba had a time of mourning he married her. Then, God sent the prophet Nathan to him. As he told the story couched in a parable about a man who had one sheep and another who had many taking the only one the other man had, David was enraged and was ready to exact severe judgement on the man. Nathan then spoke the pointed words of accusation, “Thou art the man!” 

Too often when we find ourselves drawn (James 1:13 – 15) away of our own lusts and enticed, we like David attempt to keep others from finding out about our sin.

God does not always send us a Nathan to point out our sin. When Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, (Acts 5: 1 – 10) sold some property and gave a portion to the early church, they lied to the apostles saying they had given all to the church but they had really kept part of the money for themselves. There was no rule that everyone had to give all to the church although many did. They desired the honor of men more than the accolade of God. (Matthew 6:1, 5; 23:5)

But it is obvious that when we point out someone else’s flaws we have three fingers pointing back at ourselves. Reading the scripture to find things of which to accuse others is to twist the words and stand them on their head. Rather, we should read to recognize ourselves and our sins and failures that we may confess and repent. (1 John 1:9) “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. “ This promise reminds me of the story of the ten lepers who asked to be healed. Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests, who would confirm their healing. As they left Jesus’ presence, they were healed (Luke 17). But, only one returned to give thanks. I have often wondered if those who were sick and requested healing were healed as they went yet their noses, fingers and toes that had fallen off due to leprosy were still gone. Did the one who returned to give thanks for his healing receive restoration of his body as well. The verse in 1 John says if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins … like the ten who were healed of their leprosy. But, perhaps, the second half of the verse requires a deeper healing. Did the leper who returned to give thanks have had his lost body parts restored?

David recognized himself at the accusation of Nathan and repented. Psalm 51 opens David’s heart that we might in reading it see ourselves. “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your lovingkindness: according to the multitude of your tender mercies . . . wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. . .”

(Cathy Bayert is pastor of Greybull First Baptist Church.)