The Graciousness of God
God's punishment for David's sin of adultery was that the baby born to Bathsheba would die. Also, for killing Uriah the sword would not depart from the house of David. David's initial response was to cry out to the Lord for the life of the baby. He fasted and wept continually until he found out the child had died. Then, he rose and ate. When he was asked about the sudden change, he told them that as long as the child lived there was a chance that God would be gracious to him and spare the child's life. (II Samuel 12:22) However, once he died, David knew he would not come back, but David would go to him one day. I wonder if we have the same sense of the graciousness of God that David had?
There were a few times in David's life when he threw himself upon the grace and mercy of the Lord, because he knew that the heart of God was loving and tender, so He might decide to be gracious to him. One one occasion God ended the plague early because of David's plea. In this instance the child still died. However, we should all have such a belief in the grace and mercy of God that we never give up our prayers and fasting in dire situations, until we see what the results will be. We never know if God will decide to be gracious to us, unless we cry out to Him with all of our heart.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Samuel 15-17.
There were a few times in David's life when he threw himself upon the grace and mercy of the Lord, because he knew that the heart of God was loving and tender, so He might decide to be gracious to him. One one occasion God ended the plague early because of David's plea. In this instance the child still died. However, we should all have such a belief in the grace and mercy of God that we never give up our prayers and fasting in dire situations, until we see what the results will be. We never know if God will decide to be gracious to us, unless we cry out to Him with all of our heart.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Samuel 15-17.