Weekly Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 4-13

Before I dive into this weeks Bible reading post I want to apologize that it has been taking me so long to get these up on the blog. I have been struggling to get everything done around the house since this quarantine started. There have been several things pulling at my attention (having a toddler is a huge part of that) and it seems the Blog keeps getting put on the back burner. However, I'm so glad that I am finally catching up and hopefully this marks a turning point in my promptness to get these out to you all. :)

I LOVED this weeks reading! It was such a blessing to read about David. Something that really stuck out to me was how many times it was said of David that the LORD was with him. The first time we saw it in this reading was in Chapter 5.

So David went on and became great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him. 2 Samuel 5:10

This theme continues on and in chapter 7 and we see over and over again God taking credit for the great things that have been accomplished in David's life. I love David's response to the LORD declaring all He has done and all He will do in David's life...

“Who am I, O Lord GOD? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? 2 Samuel 7:18b

Think of it, David was renowned for being a mighty warrior. I can't recall one battle we have read of that he had lost. This man was loved and respected by so many. He was king over Israel and was incredibly powerful, yet he was not afraid to acknowledge the fact that every single thing that had been accomplished in his life for God's glory was LORD's doing.

God had killed the bear & lion that attacked David's sheep.

God had slain Goliath & defeated the Philistines.

God had delivered David from Saul's attacks.

God had conquered the enemies of David.

God had removed Saul from being king.

God had given David the throne of Israel.

It can be so easy for us to want to take credit for all the LORD has done in our lives, but when it comes down to it, we know in our Spirit that He is the one who has done it. It reminds me of the exhortation that Paul gave to the Philippian church in his letter to them.

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13

So we see that God was the one who done all these incredible things in David's life; however, as we read on we come to chapter 11 where David commits adultery with Bathsheba and then murders Uriah, Bathsheba's husband, in order to cover it up. Look at what God says about this in His Word...

But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD. 2 Samuel 11:27b

God doesn't (and rightfully so) take credit for David's sin, rather He calls it 'the thing that David had done'! The hand of the Lord may have been on David to prosper him and grow him to be a mighty king for the glory of God, however, the sin that David did was not from the LORD and the LORD does not take credit for it. David, however, does! In chapter 12 when David is called out on his sin he does not hesitate to admit his wrong.

So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die." 2 Samuel 12:13

David didn't try to defend himself when he was confronted with his sin. He didn't blame God for any of it. He admitted his wrong and humbled himself before the LORD. In response we see God pardon David's sin.

What a beautiful picture of the LORD and what He does in our lives. He is the one that glorifies himself through us. He is the one that accomplishes miracles in our lives for the sake of His glory. And when we trample His name and commit sin that brings shame on Him, He is the one that pardons and restores us. David still suffered consequences for his actions, but he was able to have a reconciled relationship with God. May we be a people who have a heart of humility like David. Let us say, "Who am I that you would bring me this far?". Let us give God credit for anything in our lives that is good, and let us not hesitate to take credit for the sin that we have committed when we inevitably fail to obey the LORD.

~Abigail Escobedo