Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work…
We cannot change what we will not confront. And even while confrontation is often uncomfortable, it is necessary for healing and restoration.
Second Samuel 11 finds King David walking on the roof of his house. On that spring night, his eyes fell on a beautiful woman as she was bathing. Upon discovering that she was the wife of Uriah, the soldier, David did the unthinkable.
He sent a command to have Uriah placed at the front of the fiercest battle so that he would be killed. After Bathsheba mourned the death of her husband, David took her as his wife. This evil deed displeased the Lord (2 Samuel 11:27).
The Lord sent the prophet, Nathan, to confront David regarding this grievous sin (2 Samuel 12:1). While the Bible does not give us the details of God’s direction, we can imagine Nathan’s trepidation at calling out the king in the error of his ways.
In spite of that possibility, Nathan obeyed. While confronting the king may have proven difficult, disobeying the King’s command would have reaped worse consequences. Situations almost never resolve themselves, and time only compounds the difficulties.
In obedience, Nathan presented the word of the Lord to David. Without hesitation, David acknowledged the truth when he confessed, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:13). He wept, prayed, and lay prostrate before God, asking Him to be gracious to him.
When David was confronted by his own sin, he faced up to and admitted it. With deep humility, he sought the Lord. David knew that change would not come until he confronted the depth of his own sin.
Whether God calls us to confront or we are the persons who are confronted, humility before God and before others is essential. Let us examine our hearts and seek spiritual restoration with gentleness and honesty.
Blessing:
Heavenly Father, if You should ever call me to confront, lead me in humility and gentleness. If ever I am confronted, help me to examine my heart, quickly confess, and seek restoration for any wrongdoing. In the name of Jesus…amen.
Today's Bible Reading:
Old Testament
2 Kings 22:4-23:30
New Testament
Acts 21:37-22:16
Psalms & Proverbs
Psalm 1:1-6
Proverbs 18:11-12
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