Grace Greater Than Our Sin: Daily Thoughts from 2 Samuel (2 Samuel 12:24-31)

How many of us have failed to serve our God faithfully, anticipating that we might be forever stuck on the shelf as far as usefulness to God, only to find His grace restoring our fortunes to us. How do we understand a God like this?

David is learning things about God that are mind blowing. He has been through a season of despicable sin, only to find the grace of God greater than his sin.

Then David comforted his wife, Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her, and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. And the LORD loved him and sent a message by Nathan the prophet. So he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and took the royal city. And Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah; moreover, I have taken the city of waters. Now then gather the rest of the people together and encamp against the city and take it, lest I take the city and it be called by my name.” So David gathered all the people together and went to Rabbah and fought against it and took it. And he took the crown of their king from his head. The weight of it was a talent of gold, and in it was a precious stone, and it was placed on David’s head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount. And he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor with saws and iron picks and iron axes and made them toil at the brick kilns. And thus he did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 12:24-31, ESV)

Oh the grace of God! Even when we mess up royally His love for us is not quenched.

David has another son by Bathsheba and Yahweh loves him. To his name Solomon, which is related to the root shalem and shalom, wholeness and peace, is added a ‘nickname’ from Yahweh, Jedidiah, beloved of Yahweh. This is because Yahweh is determined to put Solomon on the throne of his father David. Nathan, the prophet who exposed David’s sin, is sent by God to express God’s love for David and his family.

And then Yahweh gives the Ammonites into David’s hands through his commander Joab. Joab rightly wants the glory to go to David and urges him to come and complete the victory over them. An amazing crown becomes his as well as incredible wealth from the spoils, including a labor force that helps Israelite infrastructure. God is blessing Israel through David’s leadership, despite his gross moral failing and because of his heart-felt repentance.

How can we not love a God who loves us this way.