“Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan replied, ‘The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.”
My firstborn son knows that whenever he stepped off the line, he will receive a spank. Then we’ll talk about what happened, I’ll ask him to say ‘sorry’, and we’ll end with the reaffirming hugs. It was quite working well. Until my little girl disrupted the pattern. As soon as she realize I’m on my way for the discipline, she’ll run to me with her tight little hug and sweet sounding ‘sorry mom’ - - many times over. I have to confess my heart did a lot of meltdowns and broken rods. I know what you’re thinking. High time to think it through. And God just said today is the day.
Here’s what happened: David sinned, Nathan rebuked him, David repented, God forgave, punishment was laid down, David begged, still the child died, David got up, God gave another child. Here’s what a soft mom like me usually see: he repented of the sin, he knew the lesson, he begged not to do it again - - therefore I forgive and forget. Here’s what God has to say: I will forgive because you repented, but I will still punish because you sinned. That is why Jesus had to pay the penalty for our sins. He had to serve God’s justice. David’s sin created a foothold for the enemy to scorn the name of God. A child’s disobedience challenges God’s wise order and righteous character. Withholding the discipline weakens his ground, making him more insecure than loved. Here’s a wise ruling: always forgive the child, and always punish the sin. They have to see it separate, but both dealt with.
The March 12 incident in Willing Willie where a six year old boy was repeatedly asked to perform a stripper dance created a viral noise in the internet, compelling government agencies to make a move, advertisers to pull out, even international anti-child abuse advocates to rally and push for tougher laws. Heated discussions on the hosts unreprimanded issues in the past resulted to his further abuse of the stage. Another point of concern is the how the parent’s tolerance of the issue has created a distorted concept of morality for the child. This is one loud picture where apologies will not suffice. We have to forgive the sinners, but the sin has to be dealt with. We have to push it. It is a scorn to God’s righteous rule not to.
Hi, Ate Sheila! I'm so blessed by your devotions/reflections on the Word! Your experience also happens to me..and yes, we must be firm in doing what is right. I thank the Lord for His wonderful wisdom manifested through your writings. Press on!
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