Day 11: Confessing Freely
of The Heart of God: Through David’s Eyes
Below is Day Eleven of the study, but there is an introduction to check out which gives context and sets the tone, and previous weeks to look at below. If you would like the full content all in one place, this book is now available for purchase on Amazon. Week 1 - He Longs for Us to Know Who We Are
Week 2 - He Longs for Us to Respond
Day 9: Extending Mercy
Day 10: Inviting Accountability
Day 11: Confessing Freely
Sitting in chunks of a story (rather than moving through it quickly) is where the phrases or details come alive that are sometimes overlooked when we read a story in its entirety. While the story of David & Bathsheba is generally common knowledge to those who study the Bible, at times we can rush through stories we think we know. Taking the time to sit in each aspect of the story gives us space to imagine and notice the circumstances to the best of our ability.
Yesterday we looked at the beginning of the story of Bathsheba and David, and today we are going to look at the next three verses which follow the story Nathan told David about the wealthy man who took a precious ewe lamb from a man who had very little. He took the prized possession of a poor man to serve a traveler instead of offering one of his many sheep. After David suggested the guilty man who robbed this poor man should make things right by paying back what the man owed, four fold, he also proposed that this man should die for his superiority complex.
Soon after David explained his fury with the wealthy man, Nathan told David that the story was a metaphor for David’s recent behavior and listed his sin. Then, Nathan continued to share what else God wanted him to know about his sinful behavior.
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’” Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” (2 Samuel 12:11-13a)
David was furious at the man in the story and insisted he should die after being required to repay the man. Nathan explained to David that he was the man in the story. God had given Nathan words to say which explained David’s wrongdoing.
David, in response to God’s wrath being explained to him, confessed. He was likely very aware of the consequences that may be considered, but even then, he moved forward and made no excuses. Let’s read that phrase one more time:
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” (2 Samuel 12:13)
The direct way David responded by confirming the accusation, by owning his failure, he put his character on display. The first words in response to the words from God, David owned his mistake. No attempts are made to shift blame or belittle his choices. He does not combat the gravity of his sin. He understands that it is likely that this choice could be his demise.
What “sin” is David referring to in verse 13?
Think back to your most recent mistake. When you realized you had wronged someone else, what steps did you take? Did you confess your mistake?
Nathan was a safe person David was able to confide in. Not only was he a prophet, but he was also someone that David chose to be honest with. Consider those whom you feel comfortable admitting your mistakes to? Do you notice any similar traits in those who you listed? Are they all related to you (or not)? Are they close friends or more acquaintances? What character traits unite those you listed? Do they respond similarly to mistakes, approach mistakes in a similar way, etc?
If you are someone who does not typically open up and share your failures and sin with others, pray for someone to come to mind that you could confess something from your past to. This could be a very helpful step in practicing to admit mistakes that are no longer sensitive, painful memories.
Reflection
Ask God to give you an opportunity today or early tomorrow to be prompted to admit a mistake as David did in this passage. Write about your experience navigating a confession or interaction with someone else. Then, thank God for his intervention and/or ask Him to continue to grow this part of your relational life with others.
An excerpt of The Heart of God: Through David’s Eyes by Jill Ng