This week's passage raises some very challenging issues, including:
- What do you say to parents whose infant has suddenly died as they wonder, ‘Is it our fault? Is God punishing us? Is our baby in heaven?'
- What do you say to someone who is so much in despair that you fear that she may take her own life?
- What do you say to a brother or sister in Christ who has passionately sought God's blessing in a certain situation (a relationship, a job, a dream) and God has definitively answered ‘No'.
- Can God bless a marriage which has begun sinfully, perhaps after fornication, adultery, or a divorce?
Our passage this week touches on all of these issues and more.
King David has been forgiven by God for his sins of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah (in attempt to cover-up his sin). David, however, will still have to face the consequences of his sin, which include the death of the son conceived through his adultery with Bathsheba. David pleads for the life of his son, but then when his son dies, he accepts the LORD's will and worships.
The LORD also shows favor to David as David and Bathsheba have another son (Solomon) who is beloved of the LORD. Also, David is victorious in battle over the Ammonites. Though he will bear the consequences and the scars of his sin, David's relationship to the LORD has been restored.
This passage offers both instruction and hope for us as we think of how the LORD deals with us both in chastisement and in grace. |