“And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man” – 2nd Samuel 12:17
David stopped listening to God or his conscience. He saw what he wanted and it ended with adultery and murder. Because he was king no one dared confront him – except Nathan, the prophet.
Though perhaps not with the same sin, we all have times of closing off our conscience and spiritual ears, requiring God to send someone like a Nathan.
God does it – maybe through using a spouse, a friend, your pastor, even a Police officer – but how do we handle it?! By denial, anger, and self-righteousness — or by soul searching, repentance, and kindness toward the messenger?
It doesn’t have to end badly. King David penned his response in Psalm 51. He also named one of his children, Nathan, no doubt after the man whom God used to bring him back to life.
– fritz
