The Word for Today

by Bob and Debby Gass

Text size: A- A+

‘Then David got up…’ 2 Samuel 12:20 NIV

David committed adultery with another man’s wife, got her pregnant, then arranged to have her husband put to death in an attempt to cover it up. Then he married her and thought everything would be ok. But the child became critically ill. Desperately wanting to save the baby’s life, David ‘…fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food…’ (vv16-17 NIV) In spite of all his praying, the child died. Why did God let this happen? Was it because the child deserved better parents? Or because the Bible says that to depart and be with the Lord is ‘far better’ (Philippians 1:23)? We don’t have a clear answer. But this much we know: when you have repented of your sin and experienced God’s forgiveness, you must get up and go on with your life. And that’s what David did. ‘Then David got up from the ground…washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes…went into the house of the Lord and worshipped. Then he went to his own house, and…they served him food, and he ate.’ (2 Samuel 12:20 NIV) We discover three important things in this story: (1) Until you are willing to make things right with God and those you’ve hurt, you can’t go forward with confidence. (2) Until you process your emotions in a healthy way, whether guilt or grief, you will remain stuck and forfeit the joy of what God has for you next. (3) When you’ve done these two things, get up and get on with your life.

SoulFood: 1 Kings 12-13, Matt 22:23-33, Ps 135, Pr 7:21-23

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright 2012

Select Specific Day

SMTWTFS
« FebApr »