Sermons

Responding to God’s Discipline

2 Samuel 12:13-23

Susie Hawkins – wife of OS Hawkins tells this story:
Several years ago when we were still in the pastorate, I
experienced God’s discipline in a very unexpected way. My
husband and I were going to our church Leadership Dinner
one evening, where a popular pastor from across the country
would be speaking. Late that afternoon I was busy doing
“mom” things, preparing to be gone that evening, and didn’t
plan my time well. I suddenly realized I had only a few
minutes to dress before leaving. As I hurriedly rummaged
through the closet, my husband held out the shirt he wanted
to wear and casually asked me to sew on a button that was
missing. I was already rushing, and my reaction was, “Are
you kidding? Just wear another shirt!“

He sensed my anger (yes, he is a perceptive one) and quickly
agreed to do so. But for some reason, that wasn’t enough for
me. I snatched the shirt, grabbed a needle and thread and
madly sewed the tiny and ridiculously insignificant button on
his shirt so that the pastor could be well-dressed for the
Leadership Dinner. I knew I was acting awful, but I didn’t
care. Our frustrations escalated as we drove to church, and
by the time we arrived we were barely speaking.
Every pastor and wife knows this game – greet people
cheerfully while seething with irritation toward each other
inside!

But the dinner was lovely and we looked forward to the
speaker, who had just arrived. His message was on unselfish
service, the test of authentic leadership. I became
uncomfortable when attitude came up, and he pressed the
point, saying “Let’s say that OS needs Susie to sew a button
on his shirt. Now just imagine that Susie gets angry and
complains about this.” Of course everyone laughed and
looked at me, as if such a sweet little wife would do such a
thing. The speaker thought he was funny and everyone was
laughing (except for me).The speaker had no idea about our
disagreement, and I had to sit there pretending to be
amused. If that wasn’t bad enough, my husband was
enjoying this whole episode way too much.

I didn’t hear much else that night, because I was repenting
and confessing my sin before things got worse. On the way
home I meekly apologized to my husband who thought the
whole episode was hilarious.
I remember this incident like it was yesterday. I knew then
and know now that it was God’s rebuke, because I knew
better. I wasn’t born again yesterday. My little fit was nothing
but petulant selfishness. And, I believe there are times God
won’t let us get away with something when we know better.

Today I’m keeping my promise to return to our study of
David’s life. The last time we talked about David we read
of Nathan’s rebuke of David through the parable he told
him. Nathan delivered the news that David would have to
endure consequences for his sin against the Lord.

2 Samuel 12:13-14

David’s Repentance

David admits to Nathan “I have sinned against the Lord.”

David was genuinely repentant of his actions.
We know he was sincere by reading Psalm 51.
He admits his sin and asks God to wash away his guilt
and cleanse him from his sin.
He asks God to turn His face from his sins and blot out
his guilt.

Nathan responds to David’s admission of sin with the
difficult news that even though God has forgiven David’s
sin and he is not going to die, there are still
consequences for his sin.
The baby born to Bathesheba is going to die.

Wiersbe writes “for though God in His grace had
forgiven David’s sins, God in His government had to
permit David to experience the consequences of
those sins.”
_{Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Restored, “Be” Commentary Series (Colorado
Springs, CO: Victor, 2002), 73.}

2 Samuel 12:15-17

David’s Earnest Prayer

David turns to God in earnest prayer asking Him to heal
the baby boy.
He even fasts and lies prostrate seeking God.
He was earnestly desiring for God to answer his prayer.

Nothing could distract him from his prayer. The elders of
the house tried to get David up to eat, but David would
not budge. He was steadfast in his prayer.

There is certainly power in prayer, but God is not a genie
who gives us everything we ask for.

When we pray earnestly as David did we are not
changing God’s mind. God already knows what He is
going to do in every situation. And every one of His
choices manifests His sovereignty.

When we pray earnestly to God we are submitting
to His will.
Prayer doesn’t change God, it changes us.

When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane asking
God to take the cup from Him, He knew that there was
no other way.

His prayer was that God’s will be done.
That should always be our prayer.
God, your will, not mine be done.

Even though God may not always give us a yes to every
prayer, we need to seek Him with our whole heart and
seek to learn whatever lesson He is trying to teach us.

It’s a great reminder that everything we have belongs to
God.
He can give or take away anything we have at any time.
We must not hold on too tightly to anything God has
given us.
It’s all His.

2 Samuel 12:18-19

Understand God’s Sovereignty

Here we don’t receive a direct response from David in
regard to God’s discipline, but there is an implied
response

David prayed for 7 days but the Lord didn’t grant his
prayer.

The 8th day of a baby’s life was an important day. It was
the day they were circumcised and it was the day they
received their name.

This baby was never able to be circumcised or receive a
name.

A no from God is a tough pill to swallow, especially when
a child dies. Ask anyone on earth and they will tell you
that children are not supposed to die before their
parents.
But why do we believe that?
It seems unfair that God would allow a child to perish at
an early age.

But, the good news is:
We know that God is sovereign and everything He
does is for His glory.

God chose to discipline David for his sin with Bathsheba
and against Uriah. God could have just as easily struck
David down, but He didn’t. He chose for the child to die.

Ask any parent if they would not take the place of their
sick child and almost any parent would tell you they
would do it in a heartbeat.

Why does God discipline His children?
We find the answer in Hebrews.

Hebrews 12:6 “For the Lord disciplines the one he
loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

Hebrews 12:10 “For they disciplined us for a short
time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines
us for our good, that we may share his holiness.”

God disciplines His children because He loves us.
And He disciplines us so that we may share in His
holiness!
Every trial in life can bring us closer to God.
But those same trials can also drive us away from God.
It’s our choice. God never leaves. He is always there to
be the God of all comfort who comforts us in every
affliction.

Keep in mind that God was not punishing the baby, He
was punishing David for his sin. The baby surely went to
heaven.

2 Samuel 12:20-23

David’s Worship and Acceptance

David’s response is contrary to what the people in the
kingdom expected.
When David hears that the baby is dead he gets up,
anoints himself, changes his clothes and goes to the
Lord’s house to worship.

How do most people respond to a no from God?
Probably about the same way a two year old responds to
a no from their parents.
They throw a tantrum, get mad and act foolishly.

Not David.
David responds in worship and acceptance.
God gave David peace to be able to worship through the
sorrow.

Is worship our first response to God’s discipline in our
lives?
If not, it should be.

David told his servants that he fasted and prayed
because he still had hope that God would be gracious to
him and allow the child to live.

David accepted the child’s death with the hope that he
would see him again one day in heaven.
The boy wasn’t coming back but David was going to
heaven one day and would be reunited with him.

Message Summarized In A Sentence

God wants to teach us about repentance,
faithfulness in prayer, worship and obedience
through His discipline.

What we need to take away from today’s message is that
God disciplines us so that we can share in God’s holiness.