Day 122, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Chronicles 20:1; 2Samuel 11:1-12:24a; Psalm 51; Psalm 32
Guilt and Forgiveness
In our American culture, it seems that psychological experts and others want to blame guilt on religion and unfortunate backgrounds. They are ready to accept any explanation to diminish or remove feelings of shame. What is the problem with that? The Bible says the Holy Spirit convicts and convinces us of sin (John 16:8).
As an oncoming vehicle catches a deer in its headlights, the Holy Spirit shines his light upon our guilty souls. Guilt can lead us to remorse for our sins and to seek forgiveness, but suppressed guilt can be harmful. King David had suppressed guilt.
In today's Bible reading, King David has been wildly successful in his military campaigns. Under his leadership, the boundaries extend into the territories of other nations. One year, for some unexplained reason, instead of accompanying his generals when they go out to war, David stays home. He is bored, and it is springtime.
Sins’ Opportunity and the Cover-up
The state of boredom and not being where we should often lead to sin.
One night David sees Bathsheba, the beautiful wife of Uriah (one of his better soldiers), bathing on the roof of her house. David sends for her and commits adultery with her. When she informs him that she is pregnant, David tries to cover up his sins.
First, he brings Uriah home to “report on the battle.” He then sends Uriah home to spend time with his wife. But Uriah is a dedicated soldier—he will not sleep in his bed with his wife while the armies of Israel sleep in the fields.
Next, David gets him drunk, but again Uriah does not go home. Failing in these two attempts, he finally puts him on the front battle lines and orders his commander Joab to withdraw his men so their enemies will kill Uriah. The plan works, but David is guilty of adultery and murder.
Be careful because your sins will find you out!
Sin Uncovered
As often happens when you and I are guilty of sin, eventually we get caught, and so does David. The prophet Nathan confronts him about his sin by sharing a story that pulls at the very heartstrings of his boyhood roots. He shares a story of a rich man who takes a poor man’s one and only beloved lamb to feed a traveler who comes for a visit (2Samuel 12:1-13).When David becomes enraged about the injustice, Nathan accuses him of doing the same thing by taking Uriah’s precious wife for himself. God said David should have been content. He had given King David wives and made him wealthy and successful, and would even have done more for him. Immediately, guilt seizes his conscience.
Parents and friends, when we are counseling a person who is obviously at fault but does not recognize it, we can do what Nathan did; we can share a story with which the guilty person will connect and sympathize. Is there an occupation or hobby in his background with which he is passionate? Often the Holy Spirit can use that story, linked with truth, to convict the guilty person.
Sin takes its toll
If we read the story, David’s statement that he sinned against the LORD seems simple enough, but what was he feeling? Was he genuinely sorry and grieved about his actions? We know how David felt because, in today’s Bible reading, we have a couple of songs (Psalms) he composed right after this incident. They show us how he struggled with his guilt.
Guilt often takes its toll on our bodies. It can cause bad headaches, ulcers, weakness, and pain in our joints and muscles, as David writes in some of the Psalms. In Psalm 32, David writes, “When I kept silent my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long, my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer” (Psalm 32:3,4, NIV).Two Kinds of Guilt
There are two kinds of guilt—justifiable and unjustifiable. Unjustifiable guilt occurs when someone feels responsible or ashamed when there is no reason to feel this way. For instance, if a man rapes a woman, she may feel shame, but she is not at fault.
A person who steals, rapes, or murders, however, has a justifiable reason for sensing his condemnation. David is guilty of adultery and murder.
Dealing with Real Guilt
We may not have committed David’s sins, but sometimes, we, too, have justifiable reasons for our guilt. What should we do with our feelings?
From Psalm 51 we learn that we should come to God with a broken and remorseful heart (v.17). We should cry out to God for mercy, acknowledge our sin and the evil of it, and ask for forgiveness and cleansing. He will forgive any sins confessed in a spirit of humility.
Consequences
What happens to David? Is he now absolved of all sin and free to go on with his life, suffering no ill effects? No, he and his household will bear severe consequences for his crime.
Nathan, the prophet of God, says,
Now, therefore, [because you had Uriah killed] the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.
This is what the LORD says: “Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.”
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”
Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die” (2Samuel 12:10-14, NIV).
We will see in future lessons that David and his family suffer much for his sins.
Focus Verse
Proverbs 28:13 (NIV) “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
Discussion
What is the difference between justifiable and unjustifiable guilt? Give examples.
What should we do with justifiable guilt?
If we apply 1 John 1:9, does that erase any consequences for our sins? Why or why not?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead:In our Next Lesson, God forgives David and restores his fellowship with him. If we have sinned, God can Forgive and Restore us, too. Find out more in our Next Lesson..
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