2 Samuel 12:12-13 You did your deed in secret; I’m doing mine with the whole country watching!” Then David confessed to Nathan, “I’ve sinned against God.”

God’s Word is full of good, uplifting messages. Messages that tell you to live a good life. A life that leaves a mark on others. A life that breathes vitality into others and stirs light into a dark world.

The Word of God also includes messages that may come as a bit of a shock. Messages that you don’t really want to read or hear about. And we easily scroll past these passages. However, it’s exactly like the minister who stood in the pulpit and tore pages out of the Bible. He said, “Why are the pages here if we never read them?”

The part where the prophet Nathan rebukes David is one of those passages that we actually want to skip, because it’s not fun to read. Nathan unpacks David’s wrongdoings one by one before him.

David sweated. David knew what he had done was completely wrong. David knew he allowed lust to determine his way, and he took a very wrong turn, the one with the “No Trespassing” sign on it. Which he wilfully ignored.

Worst of all is that he then tried to cover up his wrong actions with another sin: murder. Sin dragged David deeper and deeper down the black whirlpool.

And the net effect of his actions? His son died.

We tend to shy away from this passage, as it reminds us that our choices have real consequences. Wrong actions do not simply pass unnoticed. Well, perhaps past people’s eyes, but not past God’s. Every choice has a consequence. That’s why we must carefully consider where we take the first step, because one step in the wrong direction puts you on the wrong path.

This is a passage we should read repeatedly because here, we also see the sun rise again. Sin has consequences, but that is not where the story ends. The moment David admitted, “I have sinned against the Lord,” Nathan replied, “The Lord has forgiven your sin.”

There isn’t even a long wait between confession and forgiveness.

That’s good to hear. Very good, because we need God’s grace and forgiveness just as much as David did. Every day.

Prayer
Father, please forgive all my sins. Those I do, say and think. Thank you for your grace that wipes the slate clean and invites me to start anew. You are a good God. …

Questions
What sin are you trying to cover up with another wrong act?
Why do we so easily skip over the uncomfortable parts of the Word?
How do you experience God’s forgiveness after knowing you have done wrong?

Do this now
Today, confess out loud a sin you’ve covered up.
Read Psalm 51, David’s own prayer of repentance.
Thank God specifically for one thing He has forgiven you for.