May 15 – 2 Samuel 13-15

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 2 Samuel 13-15. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Sin has consequences. One of the greatest examples of this fact if found in the life of David. David succumbed to the lust of the flesh, committing adultery with Bathsheba, impregnating her, and killing her husband to cover it up. His sin did not remain hidden from the eyes of God. Because of his sin the child born out of the adultery died and God told him family strife would ensue. That is exactly what we see play out in his family today. Amnon, one of David’s son’s, falls in love with his half sister, the whole sister of Absalom. He tricks her and rapes her. David hears of this and essentially does nothing. So Absalom takes matters into his own hands, eventually killing his brother. After a time in personal exile, Absalom returns home, wins the favor of the people and dethrones his father, sending David on the run for the second time in his life.

In the midst of this story David is persuaded/tricked into extending grace to Absalom by a woman. Her words remind us of a very important truth about God … “All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.” (2 Samuel 14:14 NLT) I love it. God does not sweep life away, he devises ways to bring us back. Friends that is exactly what the story of Jesus is all about. God loved us so much that he sent Jesus to pay the price for our sins to die for us. In Jesus forgiveness is found.

However, in that process we also learn another thing from David. David as we learned yesterday in Psalms found forgiveness from God and the freedom from confession. But there were still consequences for David’s sin. It’s like the alcoholic, in Christ forgiveness and redemption is found, but there is still consequences for the years spent drinking; possible cirrhosis of the liver. Or think about the person who lived a promiscuous life. There is freedom and healing from sexual sin in Jesus, but the consequences of sin might still plague someone in the form of STD’s.

Freedom from confession, forgiveness of sins, and the promise of eternal life in the presence of God is possible. But like David the consequences may be long term. If that is your situation, take comfort knowing grace is sufficient and life in Christ promises life with God eternally.

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