2 Samuel 12 (Part 3) Bible Study | Pastor Daniel Batarseh

Amen, you sang with strength tonight.

I felt the strength of your voice tonight.

More importantly God sensed it and it was glorious.

I'm sure to him. Now, we worship in his word.

So do you have a Bible in your hands?

If you do meet me in the book of second, Samuel and let's go to

our final study of the chapter that we've been studying the

past few weeks, chapter 12, Second Samuel, chapter 12 is

2 Samuel 12 · chapter mention

where we are tonight and we will be looking at the remaining and

concluding verses of this chapter.

Second Samuel, chapter 12 and place your finger.

2 Samuel 12 · chapter mention

There are verse 15 because that's where we're going to

begin verse 15. Lord, this is your word.

We love your word. We love you.

We Fear you, we honor, you Lord speak to us through this study

that at touch our hearts, that it caused us to see that.

You are the truth. Louis that these things would be

applied to us guard our minds and our hearts from confusion

distraction. Anything that was sabotage.

The sanctifying work of your word as we sit under the washing

of it. In Jesus name we pray.

Amen, verse 15 tonight. It's going to set the tone.

It's going to really establish the theme for the study that we

are embarking on together. And so we're going to read that

pause. And then we're going to continue

to read and so look at verse 15. It starts a little bit awkward,

but remember the numbers in our Bibles, the references, the

chapters. And the verse numbers are not

inspired necessarily though. God has used it mightily to help

us know the word verse 15 reads. The Nathan went to his house and

the Lord Afflicted, the child that you re has wife board to

David and he became sick. The part I want you to see his

and the Lord Afflicted the child that you riyas wife.

Board to David and he became sick, the Holy Spirit.

Clearly and plainly wants to tell us that the Fatal disease

that was placed upon this baby was a direct Act of God.

That might be disturbing to us initially, that might be a

another proof text for the atheist or the agnostic who

would try to find ammunition in our own word to assault the

character of God, and they might even trouble.

The uninformed believer, who doesn't know how to explain

these complicated matters, that we see in the holy word of God.

But out of all the things that we can, we can talk about, we

can spend the next hour discussing.

Cussing evil in our world and God's role in it and our

responsibility in that. But if there's one thing for the

sake of this study, that we must ensure that we don't

misinterpret about what we see in this context is that the Lord

does not afflict David's son because of David's sin.

In other words, he's not punishing David's son.

What the Lord is doing, is chastising David?

He's chastising David, not David's, son and in God's

perfect wisdom. He sees it and finds it

necessary that in the early blossoming stages.

As early, as you can. Imagine of this baby that that

life would be removed in order to perfect the work that the

Lord wants to see happening in David's heart.

And so, let's just make that clear here, right?

David's, son is not paying for Davidson.

It is David's son. Who will lose his life in order

to discipline David and there's a great difference there.

I know it sounds similar, but it's, it's not and it's not

trickery here, there is a very important lesson in that and

we're going to see The Hope even in this son's death.

As, you know, very well last week you and I briefly discussed

the why? Wise and the ways of God's

discipline pertaining to his children.

God is our heavenly father. He is the father of all spirits,

but he is specifically responsible and he has a

specific affection for those who have put their trust in the Son

of God. And so we looked at some of the

wise why does God discipline? Why does he allow painful

circumstances to occur? Why does he permit in the lives

of those that belong to him? And the ways in which he does,

it the ways in which he doesn't? And the ways is Perfect.

It's there's not just there's not a chart of how he

disciplines, it's perfectly orchestrated and ordained for

specific sins and the specific lives of each of his children

order to bring about the best result in their sanctification.

But in this study, we're going to look at the fruit of God's

discipline. We're going to see the results

of God's discipline in the life of his son of his servant of

David namely and so I want you to see that.

I want you to keep that in mind. That's Is the framework that

we're going through the fruit? The fruit of when God puts his

finger on us in order to apply pressure in order to bring about

some kind of pain for the sake of growing us and helping us

learn. Why sin should not be something

we even entertain. So let's read now in verse 16.

David, therefore, sought God on behalf of the child and David

fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground.

And the Elders of his house, Stood Beside him to raise him

from the ground, but he would not nor did he eat food with

them? When you, and I turn away from

the Lord, when any of God's children turn away from the

Lord, from for a prolonged season of time and remain in a

state of stubborn unrepentant, the method, by which the Lord

will bring us back to him is often through Affliction

affliction. He will call for specific

circumstances to occur in us around us, very much close to us

in order to awaken something in us.

When you look here of David situation, we might wonder why

would God go to such an extent? And then we might broaden that

question to why does he allow any suffering to happen

especially the suffering that doesn't make sense in the lives

of those who are seem to be least deserving of it.

And though, again we can spend the rest of this time.

Exhaustively answering that. Here's one thing based on the

example that is set before us where we can have somewhat of a

clear answer of why God implements this kind of method.

The utilization of suffering, it is not that the Lord has

nonsensical delight and seeing us deal with certain burdens.

It is because our sinful nature often requires it. our sinful

nature often requires and demands that God apply painful

predicaments in order to push us where we need to be, And that is

exactly what is happening here to David, David.

When he was left alone was going along just fine for several

months. Living as a hypocrite living

distant from God and distant from True godliness.

And it wasn't until the child was smitten that something

happened in him where he put himself in a place that he is

not known for for too long. And that is the presence of God

in true. Humility.

And in true worship David has not been in this kind of place.

For several months. And the psalmist in Psalm 119

Psalms 119:67

verse 67, says, something very insightful.

He says, before I was afflicted, I went astray before I was

afflicted, I went astray, and then he goes on to say.

But now I keep your word. Meaning, if I just kept going I

would have kept going but it was the Obstacle of Affliction, the

interruption of sudden suffering, that brought me to

the place where I now Embrace and keep your word Affliction

was the instrument. It was for a man like David and

it is still today for many of us.

And in fact if you read here in the one verse that we just read

verse 16 you will see that three things happened to David three

things happen to David as a result of God's chastisement in

his life first thing. Is that David?

Therefore sought God. He sought God.

That's the first thing. A preacher.

Cleverly said, you cannot live wrong and pray, right?

You cannot live wrong and pray, right?

Unless you're praying is, of course, you're confessing of

that wrong. And it's not too much of a

mystery. It's not difficult to understand

that you and I are barred from experiencing genuine sincere.

Real fellowship with God. If we cherish sin in our hearts,

and what God does to awaken a longing and a desire for him

again is what we see here with David, he ordains distress He

allows things to happen, so that we would do, what we would not

do. If we did not see before us

things that do not please us at the moment and yet, David, when

the shock came to him, he dropped to his knees.

Now, you would wish David had done this before.

All of this had happened. You would think that a David

States strong in his prayer life.

He wouldn't have fallen into temptation.

Nonetheless, he is where he's supposed to be.

The second thing is in the same verse David, therefore sought.

God, here's the second part on behalf of the child.

So, Not only was there a rekindled desire for God

himself, but there is something reinstalled reinstate, and

that's compassion, that's compassion.

David had many wives, David had many children.

David was a warrior. David was someone who saw a lot

of Bloodshed. And we saw earlier, we were

faced with the coldness of David's heart, the same man who

would weep when his enemies died was totally unmoved.

When he when he called for the death of an innocent man, one of

his best men sin brings devastating shifts to the soul.

And so you see now David who in the last time we saw him dealing

with death a death that he asked for that, he commissioned and

didn't have one tear come down that cheek now, we see David

tenderized and pleading with God and seeking God, and fasting for

this little boy to remain alive. And so we already see how the

chastisement of the Lord here. Has made David soft again.

And not only just in this occurrence.

Scroll down to verse 24. Look at verse 24. then David

comforted, his wife Bathsheba See, even though, after the news

of the death, came David still found the strength in his

sorrow, people to come to his wife, Bathsheba and to comfort

her. To encourage her to build her,

to keep her eyes on the truth. And the truth of who God is, so,

we see now how the discipline of God has made this man to be who

God called him to be not just toward God, but toward others, I

see a third thing in the same verse.

We see the David sought God, we see that David saw, God on

behalf of the child. And lastly, we read and David

fasted. David fasted and went and lay

all night on the ground. I see David's fasting, your

something more than just an expression of the seriousness of

his devotion. In this moment of pleading with

the Lord, why do people not fast generally any idea?

Well, let me, let me make this, let me make this clear fasting.

Biblically is not things. Like, I'm not going to watch

Netflix for two months, that's not fasting.

That's discipline. It's not fasting.

Fasting is not. I'm going to get off Tick-Tock

for three hours. That's not fasting.

Okay, fasting biblically. Is not eating food, physical

food for the purpose of devoting that time in which you would

prepare and eat to prayer instead.

So that's, let's just establish that, right?

I remember sitting in a meeting and somebody said, you know,

we're going to all as a young adults, we're going to, we're

going too fast, and just think about what you want to give up.

And some people just give it the most ridiculous things.

Actually, a funny story, I remember that time, I brought if

somebody that was not a believer in, he brought his girlfriend at

the time and he was sitting in that meeting.

And he got so excited about the idea that he looked at me.

He says me my girlfriend aside, we're going too fast being

intimate together. So that's, that's not how

fasting works. You need to repent and stop

doing that. That's not something you fast

but I admire his enthusiasm non-believer.

Why do people generally not fast?

Because they want to eat. This is very simple.

It wasn't a mysterious thing. It wasn't a deep thing.

It's that idea of being unwilling to resist the impulses

of the flesh that cry. I want to eat.

And it's the weakness in so many that succumb to the impulses of

the Flesh. And so, to impose some

restriction for a period of time and to feel your bones, weak and

your mouth feeling dry and headaches, for the sake of

prayers, just not the most flattering invitation. and so

people generally don't fast because people, Don't want to

have self-control in that area. I know there are medical

reasons. I'm not going to get into all

that, but generally, that is the case.

And David, what you see here in this moment is ruling over the

Cravings of the flesh. Here, we see a man who had such

a strong conviction in the pursuit of God at this time,

that he could not even be physically removed by his

trusted servants. When he was locked in, in that

place of, I'm going to seek God. And you know what, what came to

my mind when I looked at this and I deserve this, I thought

the mess of only David had such self control.

When it came to his flesh, wanting another man's wife. if

David could only find the conviction and him to say that

person does not belong to me, even though my eyes and my

imaginations and my fantasies are calling out for her, I will

not be moved if only he was just as resilient in the will of God

instead of giving over to idleness and lounging around, on

the couch, where everything started from Nevertheless, God's

discipline now has led him into the place where he could relearn

what it means to be an overcomer.

You see David here is experiencing this thing of sin

and God is turning up the heat. He's experiencing The Sting of

his past sins so that he can be prepared for tomorrow's

Temptations. He would remember the weight of

this, the seriousness of this, the consequences of this so that

when the invitation comes again, he goes, I've been in this

neighborhood before. I'm not going down that road

again. How can we summarize what's

happening to David? I quoted Psalm 119 verse 67,

Psalms 119:67

where he says, before I went astray or before I was

afflicted, I went astray. But now I keep your word but in

that same chapter in Psalm 119 verse 71, the psalmist says, it

Psalms 119:71

was good that I was afflicted. It was good for me that I was

afflicted. So past tense.

Now in hindsight, I look back in my Affliction I looked back at

the discipline of the Lord and knowing who I am today, I can

say it was good. It was good that God allowed

these afflictions to arise in my life because he says that I

might learn your statutes Spurgeon, said it in his own

way. Spurgeon said, I have quote, I

have learned to kiss the waves. That throw me up against The

Rock of Ages. I've learned to kiss the waves

that throw me upon the Rock of Ages and so David.

Spurgeon men of God today. Woman of God, today will

understand that as daunting as a discipline of God, is there is

good in it. In the end, there is a Holiness

to be shared as a result if we are trained by it appropriately.

Now what do we see here in verse 18 on the seventh day?

The child died, that's so sad. Because on the eighth day, what

would happen to a male child he would be circumcised right?

He would be recognized in the house of God, he would enter

technically into Covenant with God.

And before that day came, God says you're coming with me.

On the seventh day, the child died and the Servants of David

were afraid to tell him. That the child was dead for,

they said, behold. While the child was yet alive,

we spoke to him and he did not listen to us.

How then can we say to him? The child is dead.

He made do himself some harm. So here's the, here's the news

David after seven days of consecutive fasting and prayer.

while he's still laying out, their broken shriveled-up

exhausted, believing hoping The news comes to the servants as

they look at him from a distance and they said, how is he going

to handle this one? And the holy spirit gives us the

perspective of the servants on this, this awful news and I

looked at this and I thought to myself, yeah, their hesitation

to be the bearers of this terrible tragedy is

understandable. Because in there thinking, if

he's like this, while the child is alive.

What's he going to do to himself?

Once we find out that he's gone, And they were convinced that he

would be so hysterical that he would hurt himself.

And so they were very very careful to just barge in there

and give him this. This update.

And David here is a unique leader, right?

He had he had a, as a king, the prerogative and the right, and

the necessity having an Entourage by him at all times.

And when I realized this, I thought here are these Witnesses

of David's, whole, predicament and ordeal there Witnesses of

it. And he had an audience, he had

an audience and there they are. Assessing this whole situation

and assessing how he will deal with it, and how he might

respond to it. And so, David was unique as a

leader. Here's the, here's the truth

with us. All of us, no matter who you

are, no matter who you are, all of us have an audience.

All of us do, there is someone who knows you?

Who knows about your life? Who watches your life?

Whether closely At a distance. And that should mean something

to us, especially as we are called to be Witnesses.

We are called not just by our words but through our lives to

present a case for Christ. And what people will do, whether

you are aware of it or not, whether you like it or not or

whether you like to pause that or not, is that, there are

people who are constantly evaluating our activity or

inactivity our actions, our reactions, our attitudes, and

all cases. And here we see these men doing

just that watching, David wondering how is he going to do

with all of this? And if you think this is just a,

like, an isolated kind of interpretation of this thing,

know it, you see, it throughout the scriptures.

I'll never forget reading the book of Acts and seeing this

little phrase at one point in Paul's Ministry and when I, when

I read that, it made an imprint on my heart because it reminded

me and I hope it will remind you in the future that there will be

people watching and there will be people registering and there

will be people putting the pieces together especially as

you and I, Indoor God's, providential dealings, that

seemed very uncomfortable at the moment.

Can I show you that verse? It's so simple but to meet so

deep to Impala and Silas were in prison, in Acts 16 verse 25.

Acts 16:25

With bleeding backs, dry mouths, bruised bodies.

Chained at the feet chained by their hands.

Here's a description of we have that we have of the scene in

Acts 16 and verse 25. Look at this about midnight,

Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and this

is the phrase and the prisoners were listening to them.

And the prisoners were listening to them.

What a strange sound, it must have been to these criminals

that in that Midnight Hour. Hymns, were being sung and being

echoed through the corridors and in those prison cells.

I don't know if Paul and Silas knew that the prisoners were

listening to them, but the Holy Spirit wants to tell you and me

that the prisoners were listening to them in their

suffering. They were assessing.

They were evaluating. They were wondering they were

considering how is it that these men are singing.

And remember, there was a Jailer in this whole ordeal once God

ordained for an earthquake to her current to set these men

free there is a Jailer who knew to run to them and say, what

must I do to be saved. and so, whether you realize it or not

with the burden that you're carrying, You're making a

statement day by day. How you deal with those

situations, is telling a story to others.

And you might be aware of it or like these two men.

You might not be aware of it. The scripture is even in a very

controversial place in the Bible when it talks about head

coverings, Paul alludes to the presence of angels, as the

motivation for obedience in that specific corporate call of

obedience, the presence of angels who are witnesses.

There's much debate about that. But the whole idea is this

there's people who are watching There's an unbelieving crowd was

watching. There are weak, believers who

are watching? There are other people who are

going through similar storms, who are watching.

So may God Empower us not to give in to the Flesh and lose

the opportunity of making a profound impact on those who

need to see some hope. They are wondering.

What's this man going to do? Now, we come back in verse 19,

we read, 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. You get the feeling that these

servants wanted to just rip off the Band-Aid as fast as

possible. And they were very short with

their announcement. They didn't want to give any

philosophical explanation or try to comfort him early on or try

to do anything other than just confirm what he asked.

And you can imagine the tension that just filled the air, you

can imagine the suspense. And they're holding their

breath, maybe some even closing their eyes.

David was a passionate man, David could, erupt and praise

and prayer and dance. Who knows what he's about to do

now. And as they're there, waiting to

Behold a site. That they would not want to see

based on their own calculations that suspense is now replaced

with bewilderment Because in verse 20, we see exactly what

David does. 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.

Is this for real? No Sigh, No disappointment.

He Springs up. Takes a shower changes.

His clothes. And goes to Friday night, bible

study. And I look at this and I think

to myself before looking at the response of these men, there is

something here about worship that God wants to say.

Because the Bible puts David in a position as a historical

example of what a man or a woman after God's heart looks like.

So, if that's the title, that David receives then, perhaps

evaluating his life will help us know how we can come into that

place of being worshippers of his caliber.

What do you see about worship here?

That you think? Give specific glory and honor to

God. What is true worship?

Look like, can I tell you first that?

True worship is offered when things don't go our way.

True worship is often when things don't go our way, it's

not conditional, it's not contingent upon anything.

It's not enhanced when the prayers are answered and it's

absent. When we feel like God is not

giving us our wishes. That's not how worship Works

worship. Here's plain and simple.

We see here that the heartbreaking news of this

child's death could have easily been a severe blow to the soul

of this man but again what you see instead is that this man

gets up and his attitude here of of Honor immediate honor.

Clearly clearly showcases his strong confidence in The

Sovereign, decree of God, you know, how David can do this

because David had a theological base in his framework of faith.

And in his understanding of the character of God, he knew this

one thing that seems so simple, but needs to be embedded in our

hearts. To see the full force of it in

our lives. God is good.

God is good all the time. Right.

And if I'm in the hand of God, if I've given my life to God,

then I can trust that whatever he allows Salon fold, whatever

he closes, whatever you opens, whatever he multiplies, whatever

he removes. No matter the mystery of it, no

matter the complexity of it, no matter how I might even

contradict certain things that I'm seeing in my life and

believing God for he's good. So it is good.

It has to be good. It has to be good.

And if you can get that down deep in your heart then you will

also stand amazed that what your mind and your thoughts, and your

reflexes would be even as you face on Untold an unforeseen

pain. I know it's easier said and

done. but if you trust that God has saved you for all of

eternity and I pray that every person here does If you, if

you've entrusted death into the hands of the Living God then,

then why reserve your faith to believe that?

Everything he allows in your life is also for your good.

It's so much easier. Apparently, for believers to

trust God, that he's going to take us to heaven, but for

whatever the case may be, we seem to have very much

difficulty to believe that he can lead us through this life.

And that shouldn't be the case. If you believe in for eternity,

he can believe in for your 70, 80 years here.

So this man showing us that true worship says, I don't know

what's happening. I don't know where this is

going, but I know who you are, and that is enough for me to

say, I'm safe. You are good.

I will glorify you. Secondly worship.

True worship is offered even in the midst of Sorrow.

This is really hard. God is Not void of sympathy or

compassion, he allows for grief, he allows the for us to mourn,

he allows for us to break down. He allows for us to take some

time to process the loss of this person, or that thing Jesus, the

son of God, even had tears streaming down his face.

His friend's funeral knowing that in a few moments he was

actually going to call him from his tomb.

God is very understanding. but there is for some when they

endure any kind of suffering. They allow it to go to the point

where their walk with the Lord receives a death blow.

And no matter what dies, whether it's an opportunity, a Ministry

relationships or person because of maybe a poor understanding of

how God works. They allow other things to die

as a result, that's unnecessary their attendance dies, their

service to God, dies, their praise dies.

Their witness dies. And they just remain in the

place of numbness and they just cruise through life.

And that is not God's Will and that is not what the Holy Spirit

wants to do in us. He wants to do so much more in

US. He wants to elevate us, and

bring us above all of that to soar with Supernatural strength.

Heartache, heartache is powerful.

But it should never come to the point where it kills our heart

for God. And so trust that God is able to

energize within you, true worship, even in the midst of

pain. Thirdly, true worship is not

just something that can be done in the midst of sorrow and God

is worthy of it even in the midst of sorrow.

But true worship is offered as highest priority.

David went to two houses after he heard the news of his son's

death. Let's read that again.

David Rose from the earth and washed, and anointed himself and

changed his clothes. And he went into the house of

the Lord and worship, he then went to his own house.

And when he asked, they set food before him, then he ate two

houses, which one did he go to First?

Yeah. some have trouble if the meeting extends because they

know that lunch time is being compromised, David fasted for 4

days and when he knew that he got an answer to his prayer,

maybe not the answer that he wanted, but when he knew he got

an answer, no, your son isn't going to live.

The first thing that he does is, I'm going to worship God.

You would think that he would go and order a meal.

It's food sin. No, it's the principle behind

what we see here in the principle is this that unless

worship honor service to God, is preeminent in our lives and

everything follows that it ceases to be true worship.

If worship the God has for third or even second place in our

priorities, no matter what, we steam it to be to God.

It is not true worship. True worship is only when

everything revolves around our responsibility and our affection

to the things of God into the person of God himself.

And so worship, you've heard me say this before, but it's worth

repeating worship for a lot of Believers.

Today's, a matter of convenience, and as long as it

is painless, and as long as it doesn't come with too, great of

a price, as long as my time is not affected in.

My plans are not altered then I will worship.

That's not worship. That's idolatry.

It's idolatry even in that you realize that you and I are

worshiping ourselves. We don't put the gift on the

Altar and realize when the altar is going to be consumed, we

removed the gift. That's not how it works.

But that's a wonderful imagery of what we can do in our

spiritual walk with the Lord. And so, true worship is

sacrifice. And it will call for great

sacrifice at times. And what will determine whether

or not? It is legitimate worship.

Is Lord, you have first place in all things.

You have first place in all things, and I think that is

increasingly being a lost posture.

In an age of much convenience and many other Ambitions in

life. But here's David, it moves me to

the core. I mean, here's this guy.

He peels himself off the carpet. and the first thing that comes

to his mind when he gets a no look, if I read that verse in

isolation, with a blurred understanding of the of the

context, you would think David did this because he got a, yes,

Your son will be healed and hear your son is healed.

David how it gets up and washes up?

And he goes to the house of look.

No, it was because of a, no a, no, that's worship God.

You're worthy. You don't owe me anything.

You already gave me your son. I have eternal life.

You Are Holy. I'm a creature.

You're the Creator. I'm your servant your, my

master. You are good.

I am skewed in my understanding of what is good.

My heart lies to me. Anybody else I think I know

what's best for me more than most people including sometimes

if I'm honest you but I refuse to believe that in this moment

you are good. Here's my worship.

Here's my worship. This is worshipped.

And what a testament and was look at verse 21.

Then his servants said to him, what is this thing that you have

done? They were like offended.

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?

It's just, there were confounded.

They were shocked. Trust in God when it is lived

out is often a spectacle, it's a spectacle.

When it comes out of our Bible, studies and comes out of our

book readings, and our systematic theologies, and it's

lived out, it has the ability to rock peoples world.

And not just the hope that we have, in adversity, right?

Hope is a powerful thing, especially in adversity.

But everything about our faith, the all-encompassing realities

are our faith. Not just hope.

For example, Holiness, even Holiness Holiness, when we

choose to consecrate our lives, and not join with the world that

has the ability to make people perplexed.

And so here you see these men, they're just dumbfounded.

Hey can you help me understand this You're living in an

opposite and parallel universe. This is not how things happen,

when you hear the death of a little child.

And David is not Faking, It David is not putting on a show.

This is real. You know, when I was reading

this verse, I was thinking about the, yes we don't we don't

grieve as the world Grieves according to 1st Thessalonians

4:13, but it's beyond that. It's more than just the hope

aspect. Do you remember that verse of

First Peter 44 and first Peter 44, Peter says into this

respect. They are surprised when you do

not join them in their flood of debauchery, and they malign you.

And they Milan, you tells the group of Christians here, that

when you as a Believer, allow the gospel to truly come in and

cause you to live a life, that is separated unto the Lord.

The unbelieving, the ones who were once your friends, they are

surprised when you don't join them.

And the flood of debauchery is like, hey, there's more room and

come swim with us. And when you say no and when you

say I'm sorry, I'm going to bible study on Friday night.

I'm sorry. I don't sleep in on Sunday.

I'm sorry. I don't do that.

Whatever the case may be, It has the ability again too.

To be a spectacle. And for people to wonder now, to

two things can happen as you live that out one is that it

brings such a challenge to the people that they inquire further

about the hope that is in you. What why are you like this?

Why don't you do this or secondly, it can create enemies

and they malign you and they mock you despise you.

And because the conviction is so real, the light is so bright, it

exposes the darkness and them that they begin to as a defense

mechanism. Now, turn on you and try to

shine, you and put you in a category of crazy or whatever

the case may be, that is not the case with these men.

As they witness David David, making a statement of unshakable

faith. These men had a genuine inquiry.

How, how does this happen? Can you tell us the secret to

your resolve? Or can you explain your behavior

here? David does he gladly does look

at verse 22. 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?

Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again?

I shall go to him but he will not return to me.

You know, some might look at what David did here for the past

seven days as a waste pointless. Especially in light of the fact

that God decreed already and he made the charge.

Your son is going to die, he's going to die.

But David here does something and he explains something that

is consistent with the rest of scripture and it's an important

lesson about prayer. There are many examples in the

Bible when God pronounces judgment, whether to an

individual, or to a nation, and the response of the object of

judgment has actually brought about a different outcome.

That was decreed beforehand. In some cases the Judgment was

completely removed altogether and others.

It was reduced and in some cases like this one, it didn't move

one. Bit it stayed the way it was

intended to be originally. And so David here with his

praying. Was not wasting his time was not

doing something that he thought was just, you know, I'm just

going to show some piety here. He's not showcasing, anything

David, had another belief about how God works and this is it God

through my praying through my fasting can change course.

Now I know that gets complicated philosophically.

I know that it's complicated with the foreknowledge of God

and how God works and I get it. I'm not going to allow myself to

get so deep into this that I drown and I don't want you to

either. All I know is that there is

there is the truth that God does know all things.

That God has things determined on his prophetic calendar, but

at the same time, I look at things like you have not,

because you ask that, I'm going to believe that just a strongly.

I'm going to believe that just as strongly And so, what we see

here is that David prayed because David believed to some

extent, perhaps God will have mercy, perhaps God will have

mercy. I remember hearing a Q&A but

very respected minister in my books and it was a Q&A that

dealt with Revival and one of the questions and I believe it

was a brilliant. Question was Brother.

If if Jesus told us and the New Testament affirms that things

are only going to get worse, and worse, before his return.

Then why admonish, why fast? Why I extend prayer meetings and

have conferences around prayer for Revival for a mass, move of

the spirit, that would sweep in more souls into the kingdom of

God. How does that coincide with the

reality? That things are only going to

get? Darker and more vile and More

unbelieving in our world. And as much as I respected this,

man, he kind of went off in a different direction and he went

down this Rabbit Hole. So so the interviewer repeated,

the question and try to bring him back on course, and he tried

to answer it, but it didn't satisfy me at least, it didn't

satisfy me. And, and I, to me, it was just

like there has to be an answer that, because if we're believing

God for that, if we're asking God to move in our city, does

that work? Is it going to work?

Are we wasting? Eating our time or should we

just hold tight build bunkers and and just wait for the

return? And then I remember my own

personal reading not studying for any sermon.

Nothing of the sort just reading through systematically the word

of God. I came to the prophet Joel and a

text appeared to me and it answered the question.

It answered the question and my mind went directly to watching

that Q&A even years ago and I've watched it more than once and I

thought to myself. That's it.

That is it. Can I share it with you?

Joel chapter 2. Look at verse. 14 with me in the

Joel 2 · chapter mention

Context here. The prophet Joel has has called

judgment upon the people of God. Namely Israel, the people of

Judah, It was inevitable. It was determined there.

The warnings already came, the prophets have already lined up,

and there was so much rejection and God decreed judgment is

coming. But look what Joel says.

There's a call for repentance and 12 and 13.

What look what, look what is said here in verse 14.

Who knows, whether he will not turn and relent.

And leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink

offering for the Lord, your God. You see that?

Who knows, isn't that? What David said, didn't David

say similar things, who knows whether the Lord will be

gracious to me? Who knows?

I don't know if God will. All I know is that God is able

and because God is able that's enough fuel for me to pray and

keep praying. Too fast and keep fasting to

seek and keep seeking. We are not fatalistic in our

faith. We're not among those who might

say it's all said and done just robotically move on and deal

with it as it comes. No there is a mysterious aspect

to this where he holy God who says one thing can be moved in

his heart through the prayers of his people.

And sometimes it's a yes and sometimes it's a no regardless.

I'm going to apply this to my prayer.

Life, who knows? And you know why prayer is so

important because David could get up with such confidence

knowing that he did his part by seeking God and knowing that he

saw God. So he got an answer and he can

move on now. I don't want to live my life

wondering. What if Do you see what I'm

saying? What if I had sought God?

What if I had prayed about the matter?

I just want to saturate everything in prayer and in as

God's providential leading occurs and whatever the outcome

may be, I can be at peace. I can sit down and have a meal.

I can come to the house of God and we rejoice and not doubt for

a moment because I know that I've done what he's called, it a

good do and let his Sovereign purposes, I saw him.

I saw them, I brought it before him, I gave it to him.

Here's the outcome, sometimes there's answers.

Sometimes there's knows who knows.

I did my part though. I did my part.

And David here, as I mentioned in this verse expresses,

something that has brought so much comfort.

Two families, especially parents who have lost the life of a

little child? What did he say at the end?

I shall go to him. But he will not return to me.

Bible students, some don't see this as the Assurance or some

Revelation that alludes to A little one being in the presence

of God and being pardoned for his sin.

Some simply see David statement here as him acknowledging that.

He's going to go to the Grave. And joined his son and death at

one point. He can't bring his son back from

the grave. I'm just I have my own lot in

that graveyard and I'm going to be there one day, just just like

he is, here's my problem with that interpretation.

It's very difficult to see how that thought is a source of

comfort. David has confidence here.

David is consoled here by a certain Revelation and I think

it's greater than I'm going to die.

Like my son died one day. David had as a psalmist, many

Supernatural, insights into the resurrection.

Into eternal life into New Covenant promises.

And so should not be a surprise to us that perhaps.

Even at this point he had some veiled understanding That the

judge of the earth knows exactly how to judge and that my son who

has died at a certain stage of life will be brought into the

presence of his Holiness. And I because I am righteous

because of God's mercy and Grace will join him one day.

And the comfort of David's Heart In This Moment is not just the

fact that his little boy is unnamed child.

Would be among the righteous forever, it's that he believed

one day, he will see him and recognize him.

I'll see him one day. I will go to him.

He will not come to me. I will go to him.

And there is much debate among among people concerning how God

does work and judge concerning those who are young, young in

age, young in life and you probably heard this.

There are some who actually believe that.

No, because you're born in sin. If you die, young, God will hold

you accountable because you've inherited Adam sinned and you

will not have eternal life. And there are others who who

have gathered the evidence of the New Testament of the Old

Testament. I've concluded there is There is

a point in life, in which you will be held accountable and

prior to that point, God will judge differently based on your

ability to know, right from wrong.

And that's the camp where I am in.

And that's not just because of my subjective interpretation of

Justice. That's because the Bible shows

us that there is a point in life, in which the Lord does not

hold us accountable, as he does with someone who is more

developed in their reasoning. So I want to give you these

references. So you can, you can write these

down, you want you to even turn there because you might sit

across a coffee table with somebody who is dealing with

sorrow dealing with the loss of a loved one and a child of all

things which is even more devastating.

So keep these references in mind.

Let's go, firstly to Isaiah 7. Isaiah 7 verse 15, and verse 16.

Isaiah 7:15

Isaiah 7 verse 15 and verse 16. This is in the context of the

Isaiah 7:15

prophecy of the Virgin who'll have a child.

We know that ultimately points to Christ but look at the

description of this child. In the immediate sense of verse

15 of chapter 7. He shall eat curds and honey.

When he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.

Did you see that? When he knows how to refuse the

evil and choose the good verse 16 for before.

The boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.

The land, whose two kings you dread will be deserted.

So, Isaiah makes a clear and obvious line.

There is a line in which a child can cross in, which he knows how

to choose good, and he knows how to refuse evil.

And there is a part of that child's life according to verse

16 where he He doesn't know how to refuse evil and he doesn't

know how to choose good. So that's obvious right there.

There is a category of the unknown, according to a child's

ability to discern and make certain decisions.

Okay, that's Isaiah 7. Let's go to Deuteronomy 139.

Deuteronomy 139, here's the Lord. reminding the people of

who's going into the promised land only to From the original

generation are going in but not just Joshua and Caleb.

Joshua and Caleb were not. The only ones from that original

group of Exiles who are headed into the land of Canaan.

There's another group of people verse 39, of chapter one and as,

for your little ones, Who you said would become a prey and

your children who today have no knowledge of good or evil.

They shall go in there and to them, I will give it and they

shall possess it. so listen, God wiped away that entire first

generation, For anyone who is 20 and older, right?

But we see here, that specifically the little ones

your children and here's his reasoning.

I'm not going to restrict the promised land.

I'm not going to Bar them out for this main reason, they have

no knowledge of good or evil. so then if God is not willing to

judge little children in this life, With the severity that he

brought about to their parents. Then we got, we have some

insight of how he execute judgment concerning those who

have no knowledge of good or evil.

And I think that even applies to those who do not have the normal

mental capacity, even in their adult years to process things.

Right, even Romans 1, we see that there is Judgment based on

Revelation that's been given in nature.

And so God has revealed himself. God has exposed himself and

based on someone's ability to discern, that they will be held

accountable. What about those who can't?

Well, I think God will have Justice for them and mercy upon

them. And so, I believe there is a

stronger case here to understand that the Lord will Embrace in

his arms, will be wide open for little children.

I think we're going to see a lot of them and Glory.

I don't know how that all works. Well I don't know what age were

all going to be at I don't know what it is about the

resurrection body. That's Going to include all the

intricacies of. life and years, but Praise God.

He's a merciful Lord. And Judge.

David knew that. We should believe the same.

You and I have briefly looked at the fruit of chastisement, how

God disciplines and why God disciplines and what it brings

about, when one Embraces God's chastening hand.

But here's how I want to end and we're ending with that same

thought in mind because There is one very important.

Way of Understanding God's discipline that if we ended here

might leave some of us hopeless, especially for us who have maybe

dramatically messed up. Because we understand that this

is not the end for David's discipline for the rest of his

life. He's going to no repercussions,

he's going to no consequences until his dying day. and that

could, That can make life pretty unlivable.

Some might even want to call it quits.

But that's not how the story ends.

So, we have to close this study in the way that this story ends

because it will impart so much hope for the Hopeless.

Look at verse 24, then David comforted his wife Bathsheba and

went into her and lay with her and she bore a son and called

his name Solomon. And the Lord loved him.

And sent a message by Nathan the prophet.

So he called his name Jedidiah because of the Lord, look at

verse 24, very carefully, then David comforted who his wife

Bathsheba, go back to where we started in verse 15.

And look at how the holy spirit before this verse identifies

Bathsheba. Then Nathan went to his house

and the Lord Afflicted, the child that who you riyas wife

bore to David. So even after David got married,

even after he thought he concealed everything and he hit

everything. Verse 15 reminds us that the

child that's going to be afflicted with this disease.

Was not a child that was consummated in a legitimate way

you riyas wife. You riyas wife the child that

you riyas wife board to David that child that was conceived

while Uriah was married to Bathsheba that child is going to

suffer. And then you come to verse 24.

When everything has settled, when that major blow came, and

we are told by the same Holy Spirit.

David comforted, not uriah's, wife, his wife Bathsheba his

wife Bathsheba, that is not to say that God sanctioned this

marriage meaning that he approved at the means by which

this marriage came about, But it also doesn't mean that in God's

mind, in order to rectify this whole mess that David had to

sever ties with Bathsheba divorce.

Her put her away and cut off. This marital Covenant with her

because that would only add to the evil. someone once asked me

on behalf of a friend, my friend had a past divorce.

Before she knew the Lord, then she remarried.

And there's another Christian friend of hers that told her in

order for you to walk in Holiness, you need a divorce,

your current husband and go back to your original husband.

You're living in adultery. Do you see how these Bible

studies help us in real life? Now, I know if you read it, if

you read Deuteronomy 24, It's actually an Abomination.

It's actually an Abomination to see a marriage covenant, that

perhaps was not the right way for it to come about and to

sever that tie to try to somehow make it holy again and make it

right again. So what we see here is that,

when David Mary's Bathsheba God recognizes it as a true

Covenant, it's a true Covenant nonetheless.

It was very ugly how it happened but it is a covenant nonetheless

and more than a covenant. Here's how I see it.

It's a new day. It's a new day.

He changes his clothes. And now he comes into this point

where he Comforts his wife. And now we are told His wife

Bathsheba, Kate how it happened for you to come about to this

place. It was horrendous but now that

you're here, Let's walk hand-in-hand with the Lord and

pursue honor to his name where we are right now.

And David will experience more subsequent series of suffering.

We're going to see that for the rest of this Bible study, and

second Samuel. But you know what's so profound?

God's discipline does not nullify His blessings for us.

When God chastises us it doesn't mean that he completely cancels

his favor in our lives. You see?

So he has now this relationship with Bathsheba.

She's now his wife, they come together and they have a child

and when they come together, have this baby.

It's not that. Just this baby is provided by

God, who gives life? No God goes.

The extra step gives a message to Nathan.

The prophet who are the last time we saw him stuck his

Prophet finger and His face and told him you are the man.

Now, now, Nathan comes back to reassure David and Bathsheba

this baby that you guys have together, God loves him.

The lord loves this baby. And here's another name for this

baby. Beloved of the Lord, right?

And so this is a reassuring thing after this, painful whole

situation. God now wants to come and ensure

that they know I still have something for you.

I have a plan for Solomon. I have a plan for your future.

Yes, you're under my chastening hand and yes, you will know more

consequences to your sin, but I'm still here.

And I still love you and I still love what's happening in your

family and I want to do something with your future.

Sometimes people, they go through such shame and

embarrassment and public scandal.

And they know that God is willing to forgive, but they

think that's it. Now I'm just in the backdrop of

the kingdom of God and it's done and I don't deserve anything.

I understand and they just live in the shadows of God's love,

while they look on and they see others who live more respectable

more, holy more consistent. And the extent of their joy and

service to the kingdom of God is just watching others be used by

the Lord while you just sit there and not make a mess again.

That's not how God works. They have a baby and Nathan

says, the lord loves this child. And has this prophetic

reassuring message for David and it's even more than that.

Look at verse 26. Now job fought against Rabe of

the ammonites and took the Royal City and job, send Messengers to

David. And said, I've fought against

rob. A moreover I've taken the city

of waters now, then gather the rest of the people, together and

encamp against the city and take it less.

I take the city and it be called by my name.

That's a very weird invitation something wrong with jobs

character here. Makes you wonder if the

relationship with David maybe was altered after he realized

what happened to Uriah. It's not the point.

Look at verse 29, so David gathered, all the people

together and went to Rob and fought against it and took it.

God still has used for David as a king.

And you re later on that a crown was placed on his head.

A crown was placed on his head. And it comes full circle.

Right? Why did David come to this point

this low point because he didn't go to war.

He didn't go to this very same battle that he was supposed to

go to. And so he sins and he sins and

he sins and it blows up in his face and then he's confronted he

repents and he he accepts the chastisement.

And the Lord says, okay, let's go back to where we left off.

Now. It is true that in the New

Covenant context, there are some sins that might disqualify some

people from certain leadership's in the church but does that

negate the principle that is here is that God still can use

you. God still has a future for you.

God still has a Plan of Redemption that goes beyond just

you having fellowship with him again.

There is still a place in his kingdom that he has much use for

you. And that is exactly how this

story ends before we move on to chapter 13.

A baby comes after baby was lost.

A crown was restored for the least deserving.

King in this whole thing. and when God does take us through

the grinder, And we need us. Sit us down, and confront us and

sometimes expose us. What he has in mind on the other

side of that, very dark period, that scripture calls in Hebrews

12 unpleasant at the moment. Is restored, Fellowship.

Restored utilization. And reassurance that you are

loved by the same father who disciplined you have hope

tonight have to have hope tonight let your faith be built

up. Stop.

Living your life looking in the rearview mirror as your driving.

That's very dangerous. I don't recommend that.

When you're driving you're looking forward.

You're not looking in the mirrors that look back when you

do that and you do that and I don't care how much of an expert

of a driver. You think you are?

You're going to hit something, you're going to stall, you're

going to get into an accident. It's the same spiritually.

If you keep looking back on things that God said it's done

and it's over. And I've forgiven you, it's not

going to be good for your tomorrow.

Just trust in the love of God rehearse these truths whether

their promises that are clear and direct or stories like this.

He's the same God in Christ. Has made that possible through

his blood. Lord, we love you. this Bible

study has been a blessing to us, because your word is life.

Lord in this place. We have learned much about the

seriousness of sin in the past few weeks, as we looked at one

chapter, we realize how we can get into sin.

We realize what sin can do to us.

We realize that we can't hide it from you, we realize that you

will call us to account. We realize that we can live for

the rest of our lives with scars because of our sin.

But oh Lord. Thank you for the relief of

knowing that you love us. And you still have a purpose for

us. And that Lord, you use messages

and Messengers to remind us of these things.

And so Lord for the one that is burdened by their past, let them

confidently know. That you are committed to them.

Now, you have a calling for them.

And what, as we saw David worship you, when it made, the

least amount of sense to worship you.

Where we worship you with a thousand reasons and more.

And so for the one who is heavy because of a trial, the one who

has been praying and not getting an answer, the one who keeps

fasting and it seems like the know is becoming stronger.

Lord made that not ever been there Devotion to you.

The Lord has given the Lord has taken away.

Blessed. Be the name of the Lord.

And so Lord we end this Friday night giving you worship not

just in song but a life set apart for you.

Thank you that this Bible study has shown us again just how

awesome you are and your name we pray.

Amen, shall We Stand Saints. Love the Lord tonight.

Crown him with your praise Adorn, him with your words of

affection and truth. And let's bless him before we go

home. And see another tomorrow.