Nougat 28

When we disappoint God, it’s easy to get personally discouraged. That’s not the best or only course of action for us. We can confess and rebuild the relationship with God. In today’s Holy Nougat for example, we find a very special reconciliation taking place.

“Then David comforted Bathsheba, his wife, and slept with her. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son, and David named him Solomon. The Lord loved the child and sent word through Nathan the prophet that they should name him Jedidiah (which means “beloved of the Lord”), as the Lord had commanded.” ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭12‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Peace with God

We know David’s story (if not, spend some time in the books of Samuel). He spent half his life as a shepherd and as a fugitive/deposed king. After finally becoming king over Israel, he succumbed to temptation and raped Bathsheba, who was at the time, married to David’s general Uriah. Then Uriah was dead, and David was implicated in his death. Granted it was not murder in the first degree, but we realize that it was premeditated.

Friends, God was not happy. And Nathan’s first visit made that abundantly clear. Next thing we heard, the child was dead. Rather than get upset, David set himself to praise God. His actions surprised everyone. But he knew that his reproach was taken away, in a manner of speaking. He worked his way back to his wife and back to God. This is where the nougat finds us.

The next visit of the prophet confirmed that it was well with David’s soul. The child conceived in the marriage between him and Bathsheba was a reminder that God’s anger is temporary; but God’s grace is for a lifetime (see Psalm 30:5 for more about God’s nature). What is amazing then, is the similarity in the names given by God and David to David and Bathsheba’s son.

God’s name establishes the reality of the grace (undeserved forgiveness) that only God can give to us. Despite the past, God’s Love prevails. Jedediah was that constant reminder of what repentance does … old sins are passed away and truly we are beloved (2 Corinthians 5:17 adapted). David was focused on being reconciled with God; hence he named the child Peace. Solomon. Despite David’s very public sin the walls were destroyed, the relationship between him and God restored through David’s repentance.

That’s the hope that keeps us going. Though we have each sinned, Jesus’ blood restores us to wholeness when we repent (see Isaiah 1:18; and John 3:16). No need to despair. And we can repent right now: Lord, I’ve sinned against heaven, against humanity, and against You. I repent of my sins. Please forgive me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation I pray please Jesus, amen.

Amen

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May all we seek be found in Christ