Go See the Great Physician
“I have sinned against the LORD’” confessed King David when he was confronted by the prophet Nathan in 2 Samuel 12:13. A number of years ago, while I was traveling to a meeting, I decided to take a different road than usual. I had never been that way before, but I was sure it would come near my destination. It did not.
In fact, it took me several miles off course—then abruptly ended! I had to retrace my path all the way back to where I turned off. The wrong detour made me late for the meeting. The cost of my turn from the right road was embarrassment, time, and money (for gasoline). The king of Israel committed adultery with Bathsheba, murdered her husband, and deceived the nation by taking her as his wife to cover up the fact that she carried his child. It is recorded that “at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab.” The verse goes on to reveal that “David remained at Jerusalem.” (2 Samuel 11:1) In plain terms, he got off the right road and turned down a dead end street. Psalm 51:4 gives us a glimpse of the king’s heart, when he said, “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight—that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.” David knew that all sin (regardless of who we offend) is ultimately against God Himself. The apostle Paul experienced the same principle in Acts 9. He had been persecuting and destroying the Church, condemning to death its members. However, when the Lord Jesus Christ confronted him, He inquired, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (v. 4) Paul was attacking the disciples, but his sin was ultimately against the Lord Himself. Is there sin in your life? Is it against yourself, another believer, or someone else? Ultimately, every sin is against God, the One who calls us to obedience. Acknowledge your error and get back to the right path. Take a good dose of 1 John 1:9 and go see the Great Physician.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
