2 Samuel 12:14-18 However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.” 15 Then Nathan departed to his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became ill. 16 David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 Then on the seventh day it came to pass that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. For they said, “Indeed, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him that the child is dead? He may do some harm!”
Life does not stop just because we have been hurt, lost something or dealing with a difficult situation. It does not slow down because we are tired or need help, it keeps on moving. Before you know it, something else is coming your way and if you don’t get moving, it too will run you over. Therefore, we must learn how to properly respond too and effectively deal with the varying transitions and seasons in our lives.
In the above context of Scripture, David had a son born out of an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. And because of David’s sin, God declared that the child would die. During this turbulent time, David refused any comforts offered to him and laid prostrate before the Lord in heaviness. However, the day came when he realized his worst fear, his son eventually died as per God’s decree. David’s response to this news shocked those around him but demonstrates a principle that we too must apply when dealing with hardship in our lives.
2 Samuel 12:19- 20 When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate. The Bible says that upon receiving the news that his son was dead, David:
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Got up.
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washed and anointed himself.
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changed his clothes.
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went to church and worshipped.
Many of you may be saying, “Wait a minute!” “His son just died!?” Yes, this is true. But David realized that there was nothing he could do about it. So, David got up and started to deal with the things that were still within his control. David decided to live the rest of his life. It was his son that died, not him.
We all need to learn from David that we should not become stuck at the place of our loss. I call these places “grave sites”. Grave sites are places we tend to visit to remember a loss but they are not intended to be the residence for the living. Grave sites are places we stop by – but not stay.
Secondly, we must wash and anoint ourselves. David knew that whatever it was that he did, it did not determine who he was. He was God’s anointed. You may have made some mistakes in your life, but they do not define “who” you are. You must learn to wash your past off and walk in the anointing that God has declared over your life.
Thirdly, change your clothes. You should not look like where you came from but where you are headed to. These clothes may be old associations, habits or thoughts that are remnants of your past. Take them off and put on that which communicates your future, not your past.
Last but not least, worship God! The reason we become stuck in weeping is because we neglect to worship. In loss or gain, sickness or health, ups or downs – God is still worthy of our worship. When we understand, that regardless of our situation, God is still God, we allow Him to do what only He can do in our lives.
Maybe there is something in your life that you wish you could change but can’t. You have been trying to make amends for something that you can do nothing about but the Bible says that after David’s son died that He worshiped, took Bathsheba as his wife, and God replaced what He had taken and another son named Solomon was born.
God is a God of restoration but you have to get up and wash your face, change your countenance and worship God. Be encouraged my beloved that Life is a journey and what God has in store for you is more precious than what you might have lost or that challenge you are currently going through. He is a just God and knows how to restore with even greater.
Praise You In This Storm-Natalie Grant.
I was sure by now
God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
And once again
I say, “A-men” and it’s still rainin’But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I’ll raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes awayAnd I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this stormI remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry, You raised me up again
But my strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You?But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I’ll raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes awayAnd I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this stormI lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
(I lift my eyes unto the hills)
(Where does my help come from?)And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
Though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this stormAnd though my heart is torn
(Though my heart is torn)
I’ll praise You in this storm
(Praise You in this storm)
Love ReinaBeaty.
