2 Samuel 12:15-31
Today’s Passage: 2 Samuel 12:15-31
This is a difficult passage. There is no way around it. It may invoke feelings of pain if you lost a child or know someone who has. It may invoke feelings of confusion around what is going on and why. Why would God allow this? Why does God allow things like this in the world? Or in my life? But we mustn’t also miss the beauty of the story and the presence of God.
David’s child that he had with Bathsheba has died. And we get a glimpse into who God is and how to respond to suffering. After all, it is God’s character and who God is that sustains us.
1) GOD IS JUST.
We cannot do this story justice without talking about the justice of God. God is just. In this case, David’s child died because of David’s sin. This does not mean that all bad things are the result of God’s discipline in our lives but God does want to use everything to draw us near to Him. We should however, be constantly examining our lives and turning from our sin and turning to God. God is just.
2) GOD IS SOVEREIGN.
Along with the justice of God we have to talk about the sovereignty of God. He is in control. He is on His throne. He is not freaking out. When we realize that God is in control this should lead us to rest and trust in Him. It does not mean we always agree with hard things. It means we can trust His hand and His plan.
“28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” // Romans 8:28 NLT
3) GOD IS PRESENT.
You can’t read this story without seeing the presence of God throughout it. And David knew it. That is why he fasted. That is why he prayed. That is why he worshiped. Why do we so often think that God has abandoned us when hard things come? This IS NOT TRUE. It is a lie. We must live like God is present... Because He is.
4) GOD IS HOPE.
Hope is not wishful thinking. Hope is a confident expectation. David had hope that he would see his child again. We too have hope in Jesus. This world is not our home. This is not the end. Listen to the words of Jesus...
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” // John 16:33 NLT
SO WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM DAVID ON RESPONDING TO SUFFERING?
1) Pray & Fast - fasting get our eyes off us and onto God
2) Trust & Rest - remember God’s character
3) Worship Regardless - we don’t worship God in the good times but all times
4) Comfort others - we comfort others with the comfort/hope we have received
5) Look for Redemption - God wants to use our suffering
Remember these words from Paul and take hope...
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.” // 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT
Written By: Nick Parsons
This is a difficult passage. There is no way around it. It may invoke feelings of pain if you lost a child or know someone who has. It may invoke feelings of confusion around what is going on and why. Why would God allow this? Why does God allow things like this in the world? Or in my life? But we mustn’t also miss the beauty of the story and the presence of God.
David’s child that he had with Bathsheba has died. And we get a glimpse into who God is and how to respond to suffering. After all, it is God’s character and who God is that sustains us.
1) GOD IS JUST.
We cannot do this story justice without talking about the justice of God. God is just. In this case, David’s child died because of David’s sin. This does not mean that all bad things are the result of God’s discipline in our lives but God does want to use everything to draw us near to Him. We should however, be constantly examining our lives and turning from our sin and turning to God. God is just.
2) GOD IS SOVEREIGN.
Along with the justice of God we have to talk about the sovereignty of God. He is in control. He is on His throne. He is not freaking out. When we realize that God is in control this should lead us to rest and trust in Him. It does not mean we always agree with hard things. It means we can trust His hand and His plan.
“28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” // Romans 8:28 NLT
3) GOD IS PRESENT.
You can’t read this story without seeing the presence of God throughout it. And David knew it. That is why he fasted. That is why he prayed. That is why he worshiped. Why do we so often think that God has abandoned us when hard things come? This IS NOT TRUE. It is a lie. We must live like God is present... Because He is.
4) GOD IS HOPE.
Hope is not wishful thinking. Hope is a confident expectation. David had hope that he would see his child again. We too have hope in Jesus. This world is not our home. This is not the end. Listen to the words of Jesus...
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” // John 16:33 NLT
SO WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM DAVID ON RESPONDING TO SUFFERING?
1) Pray & Fast - fasting get our eyes off us and onto God
2) Trust & Rest - remember God’s character
3) Worship Regardless - we don’t worship God in the good times but all times
4) Comfort others - we comfort others with the comfort/hope we have received
5) Look for Redemption - God wants to use our suffering
Remember these words from Paul and take hope...
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.” // 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT
Written By: Nick Parsons
2 Comments
"Confident Expectations"; love those two words! Thanks Nick for the encouragement
and explanation when tragedy or trials come our way.
Wonderful message blog about this subject. It is also encouragement for me.