There are sins and there are secret sins - but there are no hidden sins from the Lord.
Is there something you'd rather not reveal to your family about your past? Perhaps you stuffed a personal memory deep down into your psyche - hoping it would never surface again.
Are you staring full-face at the consequences of your past sin? Maybe you came from a background full of cheap and dishonorable actions. News Flash: God already knows about it...so confess it and move forward!
There may be a situation in your marriage that will require a hard choice to be made. Your spouse might have done something that deeply hurt or offended you, and now you are faced with a dilemma: respond in a Christ centered way, or the world's way, which inevitably leads to remorse.
You may be harboring resentment towards God for something you think He should have done differently in your marriage or family. Maybe you're upset because you were sure you heard from God, and now you doubt yourself and His plans for you.
Here's a great example of what happens when we allow ourselves to be disillusioned...
In II Samuel 12:1-12, King David was confronted by the prophet Nathan over his horrific sin. This included lusting after and taking another man's wife, purposing to frame him for the pregnancy, and eventually plotting to kill him to cover up his own sin. David was oblivious to the fact that it was him that the prophet was speaking of in the story he was telling the King. God directed Nathan to tell David, "You are the man!"
After declaring to David that God had indeed blessed him, and would have done even more to exalt him in the eyes of Israel, Nathan proceeded to deliver an admonishment to the King directly from God, and pronounce a prophesy of doom on him and his household for the evil he had done. David was at a crossroads and he had a choice to make. He admitted the secret sins and wailed, "I have sinned against the LORD."
At that moment, Nathan said to him, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die." It was a horrendous penalty to pay for his sins, and it involved an innocent victim. King David chose rightly because he admitted his sin and accepted the consequences. He knew who God was and His righteous character.
David wrote many of the stirring Psalms that we so dearly embrace and recite in times of despair. He used the time of restoration after his fall from grace to extol the virtues and mercies of God for all to reflect upon. He spent countless nights praising his LORD and giving thanks for the mighty hand that guided him into truth and grace, as he sought to live out his days as a "man after God's own heart." David pleaded with God to punish him, but not the child. However, God's Word stood and David accepted the consequence. He showed a level of maturity that we need to embrace. What David did right was to "shut himself in with God" and reflect on what had transpired.
II Samuel 12:17-18 tells us that David spent one week quiet before the LORD, and didn't even leave his house! When you are distressed and in deep despair, get alone with God and His Word. Do some true soul searching. Bring all of your hurts and disappointments to Him. He will regenerate your thinking to line up with His thoughts, and align your will with His. Instead of letting disappointment overtake him, David ultimately accepted the circumstances and praised God for them.
What took place next is amazing. Verse 20 tells us that, "David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped."
Isaiah 61:3 declares the LORD will, "console those who mourn in Zion, to give them
beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the
spirit of heaviness..." Psalm 30:5 states, "For
His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a
night, but joy comes in the morning."
David saw the dawn of a new day in God's sovereignty.
When we have come face to face with a crisis that tears at the very core of your being, that is when we must go to God and lean on His mercies, and gain strength from Who He Is. Rest assured that His grace will be sufficient and His power adequate to sustain you in your weakness (II Corinthians 12: 9-10).
There is freedom in forgiveness. May we also be gracious towards God and release Him from our human judgments and expectations.
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Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion. It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.
Is there something you'd rather not reveal to your family about your past? Perhaps you stuffed a personal memory deep down into your psyche - hoping it would never surface again.
Are you staring full-face at the consequences of your past sin? Maybe you came from a background full of cheap and dishonorable actions. News Flash: God already knows about it...so confess it and move forward!
There may be a situation in your marriage that will require a hard choice to be made. Your spouse might have done something that deeply hurt or offended you, and now you are faced with a dilemma: respond in a Christ centered way, or the world's way, which inevitably leads to remorse.
You may be harboring resentment towards God for something you think He should have done differently in your marriage or family. Maybe you're upset because you were sure you heard from God, and now you doubt yourself and His plans for you.
It's time for Truth or Consequences - God's Way
Here's a great example of what happens when we allow ourselves to be disillusioned...
In II Samuel 12:1-12, King David was confronted by the prophet Nathan over his horrific sin. This included lusting after and taking another man's wife, purposing to frame him for the pregnancy, and eventually plotting to kill him to cover up his own sin. David was oblivious to the fact that it was him that the prophet was speaking of in the story he was telling the King. God directed Nathan to tell David, "You are the man!"
After declaring to David that God had indeed blessed him, and would have done even more to exalt him in the eyes of Israel, Nathan proceeded to deliver an admonishment to the King directly from God, and pronounce a prophesy of doom on him and his household for the evil he had done. David was at a crossroads and he had a choice to make. He admitted the secret sins and wailed, "I have sinned against the LORD."
At that moment, Nathan said to him, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die." It was a horrendous penalty to pay for his sins, and it involved an innocent victim. King David chose rightly because he admitted his sin and accepted the consequences. He knew who God was and His righteous character.
David wrote many of the stirring Psalms that we so dearly embrace and recite in times of despair. He used the time of restoration after his fall from grace to extol the virtues and mercies of God for all to reflect upon. He spent countless nights praising his LORD and giving thanks for the mighty hand that guided him into truth and grace, as he sought to live out his days as a "man after God's own heart." David pleaded with God to punish him, but not the child. However, God's Word stood and David accepted the consequence. He showed a level of maturity that we need to embrace. What David did right was to "shut himself in with God" and reflect on what had transpired.
II Samuel 12:17-18 tells us that David spent one week quiet before the LORD, and didn't even leave his house! When you are distressed and in deep despair, get alone with God and His Word. Do some true soul searching. Bring all of your hurts and disappointments to Him. He will regenerate your thinking to line up with His thoughts, and align your will with His. Instead of letting disappointment overtake him, David ultimately accepted the circumstances and praised God for them.
What took place next is amazing. Verse 20 tells us that, "David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped."
David arose in the newness of
God's grace, and came forth from the grave of self-pity and defeat.
He
was regenerated by God's promises and the timeless truths from His Word. David was
sure he would see his son again in the ages to come. He confidently said, “While
the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether
the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ “But now he is dead;
why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall
not return to me.” David forgave himself
and was at peace with God once again.
David saw the dawn of a new day in God's sovereignty.
When we have come face to face with a crisis that tears at the very core of your being, that is when we must go to God and lean on His mercies, and gain strength from Who He Is. Rest assured that His grace will be sufficient and His power adequate to sustain you in your weakness (II Corinthians 12: 9-10).
There is freedom in forgiveness. May we also be gracious towards God and release Him from our human judgments and expectations.
Bless the
Lord oh my soul…
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Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion. It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.
Visit http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com
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If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share this post with others.
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