Thursday Thought -- October 20, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

When confronted with his sin by the prophet Nathan, David acknowledged it before the Lord.  “David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’"  (2 Samuel 12:13)

God forgave David’s sin, but there were still consequences for it.  The son born of his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba would die.  “Nathan replied, ‘The Lord has taken away your sin.  You are not going to die.  But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.’" (2 Samuel 12:13-14)

David’s response provides a remarkable illustration about prayer.  Immediately when Nathan told David what would happen to the child, David began pleading with the Lord in prayer to save the child’s life.  “David pleaded with God for the child.  He 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 with them.” (2 Samuel 12:16-17)

But God did not grant David’s request.  The child died.  Upon the child’s death, David’s servants hesitated to bring the news to their king.  They were afraid of what David might do.   “On the seventh day the child died.  David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, ‘While the child was still living, we spoke to David but he would not listen to us.  How can we tell him the child is dead?  He may do something desperate.’" (2 Samuel 12:18)

But when David did learn the news he did not respond in the way his servants feared.  “Then David got up from the ground.  After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped.  Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.   His servants asked him, ‘Why are you acting this way?  While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!’  He answered, ‘While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept.  I thought, “Who knows?  The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.”  But now that he is dead, why should I fast?  Can I bring him back again?  I will go to him, but he will not return to me.’” (2 Samuel 12:20-23)

As long as there was hope, David prayed with great fervency.  But as soon as God answered, even though He did not answer in the way David wanted Him to, David stopped praying and accepted God’s answer in faith.

I don’t know what you are praying for.  It’s probably not as desperate a prayer as the one David prayed.  But whatever it is, pray and keep praying until you see God’s answer.  When you see God’s answer, accept it in faith, even if it isn’t the answer you wanted to receive.

His, by Grace,

Steve