READING: 2 Samuel 12-13, Luke 16
“And the Lord sent Nathan to David.”
2 Samuel 12:1
They are just seven words in English, but they were life-changing words for King David: “And the Lord sent Nathan to David” (2 Sam. 12:1). The Lord of all sent a particular prophet, Nathan, to a particular king, David, at a particular time. The king had committed adultery with Bathsheba and had done all he could do to cover up his wrong. In fact, he was instrumental in the murder of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, but the time had come for David to face his sin.
So the Lord then sent Nathan to David. You see, God had no intentions of allowing David to get away with his sin. The king may have assumed he had hidden his actions, but God sees all things. The earthly king would answer to the heavenly King, so God sent Nathan across David’s path. Confrontation would be necessary to bring David to confession and repentance. God thus sent the prophet to speak truth into the life of the king; the words, “You are the man!” (2 Sam. 12:7) may have come from the lips of the prophet, but they originated in God’s heart and came at His command.
“And the Lord sent Nathan to David” – the words really are amazing to me, not simply because people come into our lives, but because God Himself sends them to us. Just yesterday, I Skyped and texted with a mentor God sent into my life many years ago. He had been a preaching hero for me, but only from a distance. His son later became my student in seminary, and he and his dad both later became my doctoral students. I was the professor the entire time, but God had a bigger plan to make me the student. He sent this man to me to help me see up close a model husband, dad, pastor, and denominational leader. I have watched him love and lead people. Now, his written and spoken words speak into my life, and I welcome his correction and guidance — even as he continues to learn from his own 99-year-old mentor.
How can I explain all of this, including the surprising connection via his son, the opportunities to learn from him, and my unnatural willingness to listen? “And the Lord sent him.”
It’s really that simple. And that miraculous.
ACTION STEPS:
- Think about the people God has sent into your life – especially those who confront you when necessary. Thank God for them.
- Be a person that others would want in their lives.
PRAYER: “God, I thank You for the Nathans you have sent into my life.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Samuel 14-15, Luke 17:1-19