Archives - July 2007, Part 3, from www.timewithgod.blog-city.com

timewithgod.blog-city.com — July 2007

2 Samuel 12 The importance of the little word "also"

It gives an important step that we must take to put away our sin

I'd not thought about it before, but my commentary said that it's generally believed that about a year passed between chapters 11 and 12.  Naturally that would be the case, since Bathsheba evidently had time to complete her pregnancy and deliver the child.  It also mentioned that "during that time the hand of the Lord was heavy upon David; his spiritual struggle is described in Psalms 32 and 51."  They certainly do flesh out the story.

Once Nathan had confronted David with his sin, David didn't have a lot to say.  He did not offer excuses, as we so often are prone to do.  He simply said, "I have sinned against the Lord."  What a sickening revelation that can be, especially when we were so deep into our sin that we didn't even realize how far away we'd moved from Him.

But what Nathan said next speaks volumes.  I hadn't caught it, and had to reread it.  In verse 13, right after David admitted that he had sinned, Nathan responded, "The Lord also has put away your sin."  G. Campbell Morgan writes, "Note the 'also' in verse 13.  A man puts away his own sin when in sincerity he confesses it.  That makes it possible for God ALSO to put it away."

In admitting to God that he had sinned, David was not simply coming clean with Him and agreeing with God.  He was putting the sin away -- getting it out of his life.  That act enabled God to ALSO put away David's sin -- removing it as far as the east is from the west, to the ocean floor, where it will be remembered no more.  But until we do come to a place of repentance and confess our sin, God cannot put our sin away.

Nathan also told David that the penalty for his sin had been remitted to God -- he would not die for what he'd done.  But still the consequences of his sin would work themselves out in David's life, drastically altering the "highest and best" path God had planned for him.

Father, thanks for the many times You've brought me to the point of repentance, where I agree with You that I have sinned.  Thank You for being a God of mercy, that before the blow falls I can come to You in repentance.  Thank You also for being a God of righteousness, because that allows me to know without a doubt that when I am sorry for my sins and have confessed them to You, You also put them away and I am restored to worship with You.  My penalty has been paid in full by the death of Your Son.  What an awesome and loving God You are!

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Published: Tuesday, 31 July 2007