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Study Guide
September 29- October 3
Monday, September 29– Read 2 Samuel 12:1-13. In this passage, we have the voice of God, the prophet, bring an evil act to David’s attention. Nathan, thoughtfully and tactfully related a story that touched David’s heart. By using a story, David became open to his own sin. Had Nathan been initially accusatory toward David, Nathan might not have survived the night (such is the power of a King). All of us can learn a valuable lesson from these verses. We can learn to carefully guard our words if we are attempting to bring a person’s sin to the surface. We can learn that Nathan had some credibility before he accused David. And we can learn not to deny our own sin. David acknowledged and confessed he had sinned. May our prayer today be one of confessing to God our shortcomings.
Tuesday, September 30– Read 2 Samuel 12:14. This is a difficult verse isn’t it? It looks like an innocent child is going to suffer through no fault of his own. But isn’t this something we see everyday? Because of choices young adult and adults make, children will indeed suffer. We see Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, HIV and other diseases passed on to a child that didn’t have a choice. How do we respond to situations like these? Part of us wants to blame God. We have something inside us wanted God to intervene and make everything perfect. There was a time when everything WAS perfect. But the choices that were made in the Garden, set in motion the world we have now. A world that is full of broken, sinful people. And we ALL fit in that group. Do you respond by discounting God or will you resolve to remain faithful to our Creator in the midst of all the pain and suffering? Let your prayer today be one of honesty before God. Let God know how you really feel about the injustice in the world and ask for God to reveal himself to you in a mighty way.
Wednesday, October 1– Read 2 Samuel 12:15-20. This is not the climax of the story but it bears pausing to observe how David dealt with a very difficult time in his life. What should have been a joy-filled occasion turned into tragedy. David’s son was dying. He knew what the prophet had said, but that didn’t stop him from doing everything possible while the child was living. And everything possible for David was pleading before God to spare his child. As long as the child had one more breath, David prayed. Are you tempted to give up and give in when you don’t see results of your prayers right away? We can glean from David that he held out hope, even though he KNEW what the result would be. Could it be that David was drawing strength from the same God who had said you will suffer because of your sin? Consider that possibility as you continue to pray for another person’s healing. Use the Covenant Happenings to pray for those who have a need or need healing.
Thursday, October 2– Read 2 Samuel 12:21-22. The full effect of this story is not realized until verse 22. In the midst of all his grief, we find out why David acted as he did. He understood the character of God. Remember the scriptures tell us he was a man after God’s own heart. Based on this story, it seems he had figured it out. David knew that God was full of grace. If we had to choose one word to describe God, wouldn’t we all choose GRACE-FILLED? It seems God has always been willing to give 2nd, 3rd and 50th chances to all of us. We deserve hell but get heaven. We deserve punishment but we get pleasure. Can you have the optimistic attitude of “Who knows, God may be gracious today?”
Friday, October 3. Re-read 2 Samuel 12:20. What is keeping you from worshipping God? What excuses will you come up with on Sunday morning? David had a great excuse – my child died, how can I worship in a time like this? But worship he did. He took the opportunity in the midst of death, to recognize we serve a sovereign, just and loving God. David made sure that in the middle of death, he didn’t forget the one who had never left him. In two days, you will have a choice – what will you choose to do?
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