I began my study of 2 Samuel 11 on April 3rd. I was able to close the chapter -I think- this morning. I dreaded it as soon as I read the first sentence. I prayed at various times for understanding to see Christ and the doctrine, correction and instruction. But truthfully, I could never get past the first sentence.
During the past two months, God has had me in many other chapters in the Bible. He has given me great truths with high impact on my theology and hopefully on my life patterns through my study and through inspiring sermons. But each time I came to 2 Samuel 11, I was at a stand still.
Yet this weekend, God showed me that the prayer I prayed in the beginning was heard. Changes in my thinking had to be made for me to understand this passage and see Christ. In order to see cohesive doctrine -how God relates to man- I needed more input.
I don't know if there is a chapter that has had more preaching than this. The failure of a good man; the shame of sin; the consequences of human effort without God; the breaking of law; the betrayal of friendship; the dissatisfaction of human success; the neglect of duty have all been preached repeatedly and yet I've never felt the core of this chapter was touched.
All weekend I've known I was coming closer and this morning, God brought the pieces together so I could see the picture of his justice and mercy. How can we have the promise and the failure in the same place? How can righteousness and peace kiss each other in 2 Samuel 11? Only by God's amazing character and the power of grace. He was not surprised or set back by David's sin. He was not changed by David's sin. His plan for David didn't become an alternate plan because of David's sin.
God wins -always. He is the great I AM. He does not abandon his mercy for justice. He does not relinquish justice for mercy. Satan loses every time he uses those God loves to try to force God's hand and reduce him from being God. Sometimes it takes months in human terms, or days or years. But God is timeless. He is righteous in all his ways. He is tender to all he created and his love never fails.
I may or may not blog from 2 Samuel 11. Right now I am working on Psalm 91.
During the past two months, God has had me in many other chapters in the Bible. He has given me great truths with high impact on my theology and hopefully on my life patterns through my study and through inspiring sermons. But each time I came to 2 Samuel 11, I was at a stand still.
Yet this weekend, God showed me that the prayer I prayed in the beginning was heard. Changes in my thinking had to be made for me to understand this passage and see Christ. In order to see cohesive doctrine -how God relates to man- I needed more input.
I don't know if there is a chapter that has had more preaching than this. The failure of a good man; the shame of sin; the consequences of human effort without God; the breaking of law; the betrayal of friendship; the dissatisfaction of human success; the neglect of duty have all been preached repeatedly and yet I've never felt the core of this chapter was touched.
All weekend I've known I was coming closer and this morning, God brought the pieces together so I could see the picture of his justice and mercy. How can we have the promise and the failure in the same place? How can righteousness and peace kiss each other in 2 Samuel 11? Only by God's amazing character and the power of grace. He was not surprised or set back by David's sin. He was not changed by David's sin. His plan for David didn't become an alternate plan because of David's sin.
God wins -always. He is the great I AM. He does not abandon his mercy for justice. He does not relinquish justice for mercy. Satan loses every time he uses those God loves to try to force God's hand and reduce him from being God. Sometimes it takes months in human terms, or days or years. But God is timeless. He is righteous in all his ways. He is tender to all he created and his love never fails.
I may or may not blog from 2 Samuel 11. Right now I am working on Psalm 91.
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