Overcoming Sin and Guilt from Sin - 2 Samuel 10-14

 2 Samuel 12:19-23 (ESV)

But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate. Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”

God was displeased with David because of his affair with Bathsheba.   Not only did David commit adultery (one of the Ten Commandments), but also he had Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, killed (also against the commandments).  To kill Uriah he abused his power and sent other troops into harms way, who also died.   Finally, because of these acts of sin, God would take the babies life.   In the above passage we read David’s response to the death of the child.   We have to remember that a lot was going on in David’s mind, heart and will, that is not recorded in the above passage.   Most would agree that the great Psalm 51 was written at this very moment.   This is a time of great reflection and confession for David.   His conclusion, above, is the result of spending a week in prayer and fasting and coming to grips with his own sin.  He has caused the death of many warriors, all for one night of sex with Bathsheba.  He has caused the death of a child.  He has caused the death of his own reputation.   Yet, in the midst of this, David finds both forgiveness from God and from himself.   He is leaving that behind because there is no more condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).   He has not only been set free from the spiritual separation from God, that one would expect, but has been brought back into fellowship with God.  He has put his theology into practice and has been given peace in his heart, despite his grievous sins.   Think about this mental state!  David could be locked into morose feelings of doom.   Instead, he is focused on the belief that he will someday be united, in some form, with this child.  He is not fearful of death and dying.  He rejoicing in the fact that despite his sin, he is safely in the hands of God’s constant care.