Deeper Life #271

And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

—2 Samuel 12:13

ANY WORKER WHO HAS STOOD before God’s all-searching eye for five minutes is not surprised by David’s fall. Any sin which is recorded in God’s Word is possible for any human heart.

If you and I are to press for the salvation of souls, we must allow God to reveal the possibilities of our own nature. That is why God will take you through disciplines and experiences that are not meant for your particular case; they are meant to make you capable of being sent, as God sent Nathan. Only then can you be as “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

After a time of hypocrisy in King David’s life, he was suddenly faced by Nathan. Notice how Nathan dealt with it. He used a parable with God-given insight. Because David was blind to its meaning, the sword went straight into David’s conscience. I believe Nathan confronted David with such compassion only because he was aware of his own vulnerability to sin.

Before you go among the infirm, the sick, the subtle, and the hypocritical, let God deal with you.

Prayer Thought: O God, make me aware of my own human weakness, so that I might deal lovingly with the weakness of others.

SUGGESTED READING: 2 Samuel 12:7–23