Chastened by the Lord
…and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. - 2 Samuel 12:12
As we know, David’s sin was done in secret and covered up so that most people would never know. In contrast God would punish him openly for everyone to see. David had acted immoral with Bathsheba. Later, his son Absalom would defile his wives and it would become known publicly.
David would have to suffer the humiliation and shame before the entire nation. Second Samuel 16:22 tells us what happened: So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
God treats us as his children and when we have to be corrected he will discipline us. The chastening of the Lord is never pleasant but it is necessary. In Hebrews 12:6 we see a loving Father and child relationship:
My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lordloves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.
God always has our good at heart when He disciplines us. We need to learn how to hate our sin by seeing its harmful results. Psalm 97:10: You who love the Lord, hate evil!
By chastening, the Lord separates the sin that he hates from the sinner whom he loves.
~Anon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!