Do you hunger and thirst for God’s presence?
Perceive: True to God’s Word; the Lord struck the child with sickness. In a truly repentant action, David goes before the Lord in a state of utter humility by fasting and praying. He refused to do anything but seek the Lord’s face and pleaded for Him to spare his baby’s life. Seven days later the child dies. Seeing how David was acting, the servants feared he might do something desperate once he learned of the child’s fate. Instead of doing something inappropriate, he gets up, cleans up, and gets filled up. Amazed at his changed behavior, the servants inquire about his reasoning. He hoped God would hear his plea for the baby’s life, but now that the child expires he knows they will reunite in eternity. David comforts his wife, and she conceives a future king.
Practice: This sickness resulted from the sin of his adultery and was not part of the punishment he would receive as a consequence. There is always a consequence to deep sins, and unfortunately for David and Bathsheba, God took the baby home very early. After David hears the sad news about his son, he goes home and worships the Lord before he ends his fast. David’s hunger for a renewed relationship with the Lord far exceeded his desire for food and drinks. No one wants to see a child die. If you are going through something this painful, lean into the Lord. Take some time to read the psalms and feel the psalmist pour out his complaints. Psalms 16 and 86 are great places to start.
Pray: Lord, fill me with a hunger for You. Impact my mind, will, and emotions, so they reflect Your presence and power.
This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com
Practice: This sickness resulted from the sin of his adultery and was not part of the punishment he would receive as a consequence. There is always a consequence to deep sins, and unfortunately for David and Bathsheba, God took the baby home very early. After David hears the sad news about his son, he goes home and worships the Lord before he ends his fast. David’s hunger for a renewed relationship with the Lord far exceeded his desire for food and drinks. No one wants to see a child die. If you are going through something this painful, lean into the Lord. Take some time to read the psalms and feel the psalmist pour out his complaints. Psalms 16 and 86 are great places to start.
Pray: Lord, fill me with a hunger for You. Impact my mind, will, and emotions, so they reflect Your presence and power.
This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com
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