Love and Discipline

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Jan 22, 2016 1687

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in (Proverbs 3:11-12).

One day the prophet Nathan requested a meeting with King David. Standing before the king, Nathan unfolded the details of a heart-wrenching event that had happened in a certain city in his kingdom. A poor man there had purchased a ewe lamb which lived in the house with his family. He raised it and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. Like a daughter, it was the joy of his life.

There was also a very rich man in that city who had large flocks of sheep. A traveller came to see the rich man but instead of killing one of his own lambs to make a meal he took the poor man’s ewe lamb instead and prepared it for his visitor.

David couldn’t believe his ears. Burning with anger against the rich man he blurted out, “Because that man had no pity he deserves to die!”

Pointing his finger at David Nathan said, “You are the man!” You have a harem full of wives but you took, instead, the only wife of faithful Uriah. You showed him no pity but killed him. Now, therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house.”

David, shocked by this sentence, confessed, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.”

While David’s sin was great, the Lord’s forgiveness was even greater. God loved David in spite of his sin, and forgave him as soon as he admitted his guilt and called on the Lord. This Old Testament story is picture of the gospel.