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II Samuel 12: 7 (NIV)
Then Nathan said to David, “You are
the man!”
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| You can never be the same after the unveiling of a truth.* |
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Nathan had the God-given mission to confront King David with the grievous
sin he had committed, and to pronounce God’s judgment against him. If David had
been a different kind of king, Nathan could have been executed for his
audacity. How would you like to have Nathan’s job? You may know how to speak
the truth in love but have you ever had to do it at the risk of losing your
head?
Speaking the truth in love is a risky business. Knowing whether or not
it is your place to confront someone; avoiding the passive-aggressive trap;
being certain that your motives are pure – there is more to it than just being
right. But what if you are the one who is being confronted? How will you
respond then? It could happen that you are being falsely accused - but what if
you’re not?
David’s conduct in the face of Nathan’s rebuke is a vivid illustration
of why he was called a man after God’s heart. He was a sinner – adultery and
murder, the two “big” ones – but he loved God and so his heart was
well-prepared for repentance. We are all sinners but when we love God, our
hearts are tender towards him. Being confronted with our sin should result in a
gracious response, not denial and defensiveness. Do you have a contrite heart
that is ready to confess and repent and to be reconciled to God? God’s heart is
ready for you!
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| Those who have been overtaken in any fault ought to reckon a faithful reproof the greatest kindness that can be done them and a wise reprover their best friend.* |
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