Daily Devotions
Hope for the Fallen
Title: Hope for the Fallen
Reading for April 7: 2 Samuel 20-22
Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, "Shall not Shemei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD's anointed?" But David said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be an adversary to me?... And the king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." And the king gave him his oath.
2 Samuel 19:21-23
What we see in the second half of 2 Samuel is that sin has consequences. God is rich in mercy and David does not die for his moral failure. But it's not a "happily ever after" kind of story. If we learn anything from David's life, it is that sin leads to a lifetime of misery, regret, and pain.
David's sin, however, did serve to humble him and, in some ways, make him a better man after his repentance. We see that in the attitude he takes toward his enemies when he returns to the throne after the death of Absalom. David shows mercy where we would expect him to take vengeance. This should not be surprising to us since David is merely reflecting the mercy that has been shown to him.
This should be some solace to anyone who is suffering through the consequences of a great moral failure. Your life is not ever going to be the same. The wounds are deep and the problems in this life created by your sin are often irreversible. But God can turn these consequences into a blessing by using them to make you and mold you into what He wants you to be.
Father, we thank you for the pain that our sins cause us so that we might learn the lessons you want us to learn.
