Hidden rebellion ∙
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. – Psalms 19:12
Psalms 51:1-4
1 A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.
2 Wash me clean from my iniquity. Purify me from my sin.
3 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.
4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.
Spring heralds a time when people step outside to “work the land.” Activities may range from basic yard maintenance and clean-up to planting new shrubs, grass, or a garden. Meanwhile, family farmers begin plowing and preparing the soil for sowing. After a day of strenuous labor, we find ourselves dirty, sweaty, and exhausted, prompting a desire for a thorough cleansing.
But what about internal impurities? How do we address those? David shows us the way.
2 Samuel 11:1-2
1 In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war . . .. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.
2 Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and walked on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath.
David’s transgression stemmed from his decision to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Instead of leading his troops in battle, he opted for rest and relaxation in Jerusalem. On a picturesque spring day, while walking on the palace roof, he unexpectedly saw Bathsheba bathing on her rooftop (2 Samuel 11:2).
Overcome by lust, David yielded to temptation. He summoned Bathsheba to the palace, setting off a tragic chain of events. They committed adultery, and Bathsheba became pregnant. David’s primary concern shifted to self-preservation and avoiding exposure. To conceal his wrongdoing, he devised a plan involving Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah. He called Uriah back from the battlefield, hoping he would spend intimate time with his wife.
David believed this would cover up his sin, leading everyone to think the child’s father was Uriah. He thought it was a “little sin” that could easily be hidden and forgotten.
However, David failed to account for Uriah’s noble character and integrity.
2 Samuel 11:8-11
8 Then he told Uriah, “Go on home and relax.” David even sent a gift to Uriah after he had left the palace.
9 But Uriah didn’t go home. He slept that night at the palace entrance with the king’s palace guard.
10 When David heard that Uriah had not gone home, he summoned him and asked, “What’s the matter? Why didn’t you go home last night after being away for so long?”
11 Uriah replied, “The Ark and the armies of Israel and Judah are living in tents, and Joab and my master’s men are camping in the open fields. How could I go home to wine and dine and sleep with my wife? I swear that I would never do such a thing.”
David tried a few more tricks, but nothing worked. Bathsheba remained pregnant, and Uriah was sent back to war. From here, things went from bad to worse. Cover-ups rarely succeed, as we know well in our day and age.
David had the audacity to have Uriah hand-carry a letter to Joab, the commander of Israel’s army. That letter was Uriah’s death warrant (2 Samuel 11:14-17). Consequently, David became responsible for Uriah’s death. He was now not only an adulterer, which was bad enough but also a murderer. In his twisted thinking, David believed that with Uriah out of the way, he could marry Bathsheba, and she could have his baby without raising suspicion. However, David overlooked the fact that people can count. The baby was born less than nine months after their marriage.
REFLECT & PRAY
The Father’s intention is not to punish but to administer loving discipline. He has no desire for retribution. While His discipline can be painful, responding correctly leads to refreshing, cleansing, and a sense of well-being. The Father’s discipline is always for our good so that we may share in His holiness (Hebrews 12:10).
Father, I am done hiding my sin! I no longer want to rationalize it or try to cover it up. Please gently reveal the error of my ways so that I may see and confess. I know You will always forgive me and cleanse me. Thank You!
INSIGHT
David believed his sin was private, unseen, and would never be revealed. However, he overlooked something crucial: the Father knew everything, including the thoughts of his innermost heart. The Father was aware of David’s lust, desire, and failure to resist temptation. In fact, the Father witnessed both the adultery and the murder of Uriah. He was grieved and displeased with David’s actions (2 Samuel 11:27).
If the Father were merely human, He might have thought, “How could he? Anyone but David, surely not David, a man after My own heart.” Until that moment, David had done no wrong in the Father’s eyes; his record was spotless. Yet one sinful act changed the trajectory of David’s life forever.
1 Kings 15:5 David had done what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight and had obeyed the LORD’s commands throughout his life, except in the affair concerning Uriah the Hittite.
But indeed, the Father knows everything all the time. What David thought was private and hidden has been front-page news for over 3,000 years. It is part of the eternal Word of God and will be known forever.
Psalms 51:2 Wash me clean from my iniquity. Purify me from my sin.
In Hebrew, the word translated as “iniquity” is avon. Avon originates from a term meaning to twist or bend. It transformed over time and came to signify something inherently wrong, wrong in and of itself. People typically perceive this type of wrongdoing as violating their sense of right and wrong.
Remarkably, in the 21st century, where there is a seeming near-total lack of moral restraint, people still recognize that some acts are wrong in and of themselves. Harming an innocent child would fall into this category. It Is considered iniquity.
David was guilty of such a sin. He was tainted and dirty. Although he tried to ignore it, a small voice inside, the voice of his conscience, kept accusing him.
How do we deal with iniquity? How do we become clean? We must recognize our errors, confess, and allow the Father to forgive and cleanse us. This process involved confrontation, recognition, confession, forgiveness, and cleansing for David.
Because of His grace and love and His desire to restore David to the joy of fellowship with Him, the Father sent Nathan, the prophet, to confront David and expose the evil he had done.
2 Samuel 12:1-12
1 Then the LORD sent Nathan to David. . .
7 Nathan then said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘It is I who anointed you king over Israel.’”
9 ‘Why have you despised the word of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him . . .
12 ‘Indeed you did it secretly . . .
Nathan recounted to David a tale of a man who committed iniquity. Despite having an abundance of sheep, he callously seized a lamb from a man with very little and appropriated it for his own use. David was livid!
David shouted, “As the LORD lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die” (2 Samuel 12:14).
Nathan then said to David, “You are the man” (2 Samuel 12:7)!
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die (2 Samuel 12:13).
Hebrews 12:10-11
10 God’s discipline is always good for us so that we might share in his holiness.
11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it’s painful! But afterward, there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
The Father often uses other children of the King to strengthen us, give us hope, and improve our lives. We can find valuable advice from those who follow God, as demonstrated by Nathan serving King David (2 Samuel 12:1-14). Nathan helped David recognize his wrongdoing, repent, and seek forgiveness. Although confronting his guilt was challenging for David, it was essential for reconciling with the Father.
We need to be discerning in our choice of counselors. Good advice comes from godly people. What about your inner circle of friends? Do they give godly advice?
Proverbs 18:24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯3-0-3
© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 