Jesus in 2 Samuel
Jesus in 2 Samuel: Conquering Guilt
2 Samuel opens as David learns of Saul’s death. David’s honorable heart did not celebrate Saul’s death. We don’t honor because people deserve honor. We honor because we are honorable.
Saul speaks of the natural man who naturally reacts. David speaks of the spirit man who spiritually responds.
We don’t love because people are lovable. We love because we are loving.
Battle between the natural king and the spiritual king continued.
2 Sam 3:1 The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. NIV
Being saved is one thing. Intentionally allowing the mind of Christ to enrich in your life is another.
Scripture doesn’t overlook David’s flaws openly revealing his adultery with Bathsheba and then murdering her husband to try to cover it up in 2 Sam 11.
When good things happen gradually finally arrives but suddenly takes the credit. We don’t make major accomplishments in a moment.
When bad things happen gradually finally arrives but suddenly gets the blame. We don’t make major mistakes in a moment.
David was guilty of adultery and murder?
2 Sam 22:21-25 For all his laws are constantly before me; I have never abandoned his principles. I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin. The LORD rewarded me for doing right, because of my innocence in his sight. NIV
David was so in touch with God’s ability to restore that he lost touch with his own ability to condemn himself.
We’re more sinful and flawed than we care to believe. We’re more accepted and loved than we can possibly imagine.
Peter must have felt so fascinated to be used by God - not when the rooster crowed, but on the day of Pentecost! Recover from mistakes!
Micah 7:8 Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. (NIV)
He who knows you the best loves you the most!
GP4RL: Connect personally with someone this week about an area in your life you need to conquer.
Going Deeper
John 5:39 Jesus said, “…the Scriptures point to me!” NLT
2 Samuel is all about the 40 year reign of King David. David is a type of Christ in many ways:
1. Jesus is recognized as "The Son of David".
2. David had humble beginnings as did Jesus – Carpenter’s son.
3. David was God’s anointed addressing man’s religious efforts embodied in Saul.
The more David grew in his understanding of God’s heart the more he grew in God’s power. Within us all right now is the power to do things we never dreamed possible.
2 Sam 5:10 And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him. NIV
Our biggest battles are internal, not external. If we can win on the inside, we will win on the outside! This victory comes from connecting with God and with people we can trust. Many times we must build a circle before we can break a cycle.
2 Sam 12 we see where Nathan comes to David speaking of David’s sin and David quickly sees the truth about it all. It wasn’t that David couldn’t see his sin. It was simply that he could not see his sin alone.
It is not good for man to be alone. We can be in a crowd of people and still be isolated and separated emotionally from others because we’ve built walls. Transformation into God’s image requires community.
The more isolated we are the more impossible it is to experience the lives God desires for us and has prepared for us.
Sharing our successes and our failures is an important part of building healthy relationships.
When other people see that you are enjoying God’s forgiveness over your mistakes it gives them hope. Hiding sin from God doesn’t keep him from knowing about it. It just keeps you from being free.