"Suppress. Conceal.
Obscure. What do these words communicate? They tell the story of human nature. They
show how when we have knowingly done something wrong, we instinctively take
steps to hide or bury our problem."
One of Israel’s greatest kings was guilty of this. David was just a boy when he was chosen by God to be king, but it was not until he was 30 years old before he ascended to the throne. When he did, God’s hand was upon him in mighty fashion. David’s success was immediate, his fame spread quickly and the kingdom of Israel expanded with astonishing dominance.
One day, at the height of David’s fame and power, something happened that changed the direction of David’s life and Israel’s future.
King David typically went out to battle with his forces, but one time he decided to not go. During an afternoon while walking on the roof of his palace he looked far and wide, admiring his success. While doing so, something caught his attention. His eyes were drawn to a particular home in the distance. He could see a beautiful woman washing herself. She was engaged in a ceremonial cleansing. King David, a godly man, did not turn away. As David watched, he sent someone to find out who she was, then summoned her to the palace. To refuse any king, could mean death, so she went. Her name was Bathsheba. When she met the king, he took and lay with her. David had not just committed adultery with a woman, who was the wife of one of his most loyal soldiers, Uriah. He had raped her, then sent her back home.
Soon Bathsheba realized she was pregnant and sent word to the king. David quickly employed a strategy to cover up his sin. He ordered Uriah to be pulled from the battle and brought to the king. David encouraged Uriah to go home to be with his wife. However, Uriah spent the night with the king’s servants out of solidarity with his fellow soldiers who were still fighting. David underestimated the character of Uriah. Finally, the king had Uriah sent back to the war, and orders were given to place him where the fiercest fighting was so that he might be killed. Then after Uriah’s death, David took Bathsheba as his wife.
David’s cover up worked! That is until God broke His silence by sending Nathan the prophet. Through him, God confronted David with his many sins. When David’s eyes were finally opened, God firmly rebuked him saying, “I anointed you king over Israel…Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight?” (2 Samuel 12:7,9) God came with swift judgement, which brought David to his knees in brokenness. He immediately repented and turned towards his Lord. In response, God showed him mercy, sparing His life and granting him forgiveness. Even so, the effects of David’s sin remained upon him for the rest of his life.
Always remember these three truths...
1-Nothing is hidden from God’s sight. He sees all and knows all. What we can hide from others, we can never hide from God.
2-God is just and will bring His judgement upon us for what we have done. No matter how skillful we might be in trying to hide our evil deeds, no one can escape God’s justice.
3-There is mercy available to all, no matter what we have done. This is why God sent Jesus from heaven to earth, and why Jesus died and rose again. For those who admit their sin, turn from it and place their faith in Christ, there is forgiveness. Yes, there will be consequences for what we have done, but in the midst of that, through Jesus we can be forgiven and receive the promise of new life.
A prayer for you - “Lord God, open our spiritual eyes so that we can know, that you see what we have been trying to hide. Then bring us to confess our sin to you and turn us from our ways, that we might experience your mercy and undeserving forgiveness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
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