Tuesday, May 17, 2016
In the 12th Chapter of 2 Samuel, we find the heartbreaking account about the death of David and Bathsheba’s new born son. David was informed by the prophet Nathan before it happened that the child would die due to his sin regarding Bathsheba and her husband, Uriah. As soon as the prophet departed, the child became ill. This prompted David to begin weeping and fasting before the Lord in hope that God would relent and not take his child. Seven days after Nathan’s visit, God kept His word and the child died. During this time, his household attendants had tried without success to convince David to break his fast and when the child died they were afraid to inform him of the news fearing he would do something desperate. When he saw them hover close to him, David sensed that the boy had died so he asked them if that was the case. When they said “yes”, David surprised them. He went to wash himself, put on lotions, changed his clothes, and went into the house of the Lord to worship. They were so baffled by David’s actions they questioned him about it. David replied: “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 go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” (verses 22-23)
Heartbreaking and tragic experiences will sooner or later come into the life of every human being, if they haven’t already. Fathers, mothers, children, and spouses everywhere are familiar with the agonizing pain one suffers after the death of a loved one and we all know some folks who have never recovered by that hard blow, who continue to live in grief and sorrow. For God’s children, it does not have to be that way. In Christ, there is healing, peace, and comfort. He, and He alone, can mend any broken heart. He Himself said: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives.” (Luke 4:18)
If, by chance, you are still being held captive by a sorrow from the past, Christ want’s to heal your broken heart and set you free. What made David’s recovery come almost immediately? As soon as one hope was gone, a new one appeared. Now he would live in the hope of seeing his son again. David’s new hope is our new hope too. Because of Christ, the death of that special person in your life which devastated you, not only should have been transformed into one of your biggest hopes today, it will be your biggest joy on the day of that great reunion. Rejoice and be free!
Memory verse for the week: (Isaiah 42:8) “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.”
