Day2
Week17
2 Samuel
“The child died on the seventh day, and the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child had died. They said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we would speak to him, but he would not acknowledge our voices. Now how can we say to him, ‘The child is dead’? He may do harm.” When David noticed that his servants were whispering to one another, he perceived that the child was dead. So he asked his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” So David arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his garments. Then he entered the house of the Lord and worshipped. He then went in to his own house. When he asked, they set down food for him and ate. His servants said to him, “What is this thing you have done? You fasted and wept for the sake of the living child, but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” He explained, “As long as the child was alive, I fasted and wept because I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me, so that the child may live.’ But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Am I able to bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.””
2 Samuel 12:18-23 MEV
Cross references
Ruth 3:3;
Job 1:2;
Isaiah 38:1-3;
Genesis 27:35;
Job 7:8-10
Renewed Faith
It was customary in David’s time for Jews to grieve for seven days after a loved one passed. This was called Shiva. They would tear their garment, put ash on their forehead, fast, and keep a solemn mood during this time.
David appeared to have been grieving for his own failure and poor choices as well as for his son.
Renewed faith often times comes after repentance.
Have you ever experienced that?
David worshiped God when tradition expected him to grieve. He did not get the answer he had hoped for, but he knew that God was sovereign and that he himself was in the wrong.
Repentance is never easy, but remember that prolonged sin only gets worse. Renewed faith is waiting on the other side of repentance.
Action Step
When you are ready, pray this prayer…
“ God whatever You want to do in my life, I invite You to do it. Align my heart and mind with Your will because Your will is perfect. I want more of You and I want to partner with You in what You are doing in the world around me. In Jesus name Amen.
Comments