King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Mercy, Grace, & Forgiveness
Date: Tuesday April 03, 2012
Today's Chapters: 2 Samuel 12-13

Hello My Friend,

As faithful Christians we are the godly example for others to follow, new converts, worldly people, even other Christians who just haven't grown in the Lord, learn how to not only be hears, but doers of God's Word through our example. However, what happens when the faithful Christian gets caught in sin? The same thing as everyone else, mercy, grace, and forgiveness to all who admit their sin to God. We are all sinners and capable of falling into the vilest of sin, even strong Christians can fall if their eyes are taken off God for a second. God allows all of us to go through things not only to seek repentance, but to be a testimony to others as well. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” - 1 Timothy 1:15,16.

According to the Law of Moses, “If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel...But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die.” - Deuteronomy 22:22,25. By law, David and Bathsheba's sin would have been proper cause for their death, but instead God allowed them to remain alive. Why? He was a child of God. Although God was displeased and both David and Bathsheba were chastised, they were not put to death. God sent Nathan the prophet to speak to David on this matter.

“Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife...For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.” - 2 Samuel 12:9,10,12-15.

Psalm 51 is the prayer that David said to God in regards to his sin with Bathsheba. “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest...Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” - Psalm 51:1-4,13. God has mercy and grace for all who fall and come to Him.

Although God did forgive David when he admitted his sin and asked for forgiveness, it did not stop the consequences that would abound from his sin. The amazing thing about God is that He truly does forgive a person, no matter how many times they sin and although they may suffer the consequences of that sin God will still use the situation to His advantage. The baby born of David and Bathsheba was very ill, David fasted and prayed, but the baby died seven days later as a result of their sin. God used this situation to bring David into deep repentance and remind him of who He was. David and Bathsheba were later blessed with Solomon, who would become one of the greatest and well known kings of all time.

“Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.” -2 Samuel 12:20-24.

Illness often brings one closer to God, especially if it is of a child or loved one, while we may not understand why God uses illness or even death as a way to draw us closer to Him it is important to remember that life does not end after death. Babies go straight to heaven as well as those who are saved, but those who are not saved end up in hell. Tragedies like these bring reminders to us that heaven and hell are real and gives others a chance to find mercy, grace, and forgiveness through Christ. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” - 2 Peter 3:9.

After his repentance, pardon, and the birth of Solomon it seemed that all was well with David. However, just as Nathan the prophet warned David that the sword shall never fall from his family, it begins with is first son, Absalom who had his half-brother killed over raping his sister. “Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant...But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years. And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.” - 2 Samuel 13:28,37-39.

Adultery and murder were David's sins, and those sins among his children were only the beginnings of the consequences he faced for them. Perhaps what made him even more grievous was that he feared that his bad example might have been what brought on all this wickedness. Remember, we are responsible for the actions of our own sins, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” - Hebrews 12:6,7.

Now, although we may receive some chastisement for our sin, even after receiving forgiveness, we must not stop our communication with God, it is vital to the person and everyone else as well. When facing chastisement it is best to just accept it, do the time, and keep serving God, in doing so we not only show God that we respect His judgment, He also shows respect toward us. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God...For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” - 2 Corinthians 7:1,11.

Today's Psalm: 6:2 - “Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.”

Today's Proverb: 16:6 - “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.”

Today's Prayer: God, Your mercy endures forever, no matter what we have done when we confess our sin You You are always faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us of our unrighteousness, even if that means we have to face some chastisement for our sin. Everything You place before us is meant to teach, correct, and guide us out of walking in the flesh, and into the Spirit. God, have mercy and grace on us, give us peace and comfort through our trials as well as any grievances we face as we look to You for help and guidance in every matter of our lives. In Jesus' name. Amen,

Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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