You know the story of David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11 – 12:15 (here @ BibleGateway)). There is no need to rehash the particulars here. Among other things that resulted from this incident was David’s response to Nathan’s rebuke, Psalm 51 (here @ BibleGateway).
I want to focus on Psalm 51:12, 17 (here @ BibleGateway). It is apparent based on 2 Samuel that David truly repented of his actions. Is response to Nathan was immediate and complete. One of the things that David had to face was the death of the child that was a result of his and Bathsheba’s affair. David humbled himself before the Lord on the child’s behalf. However, the Lord took the child as He promised David that He would.
David was dealing with real and deep sorrow. He had sinned against His Lord and he had lost a child that he loved, that loss also would have pained his now wife, Bathsheba, greatly. He was not in a joyful place in his life and relationship with God. He could have become bitter and angry with what had transpired, many in his circumstances do. But he did not.
There was nothing that he could do to restore the joy he had with the Lord. Look at his request in 51:12 (here @ BibleGateway), “restore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain me wit a willing spirit…” David knew that the joy of his salvation, his relationship with God, was not something which he could manufacture, it was a gift, grace if you will. He knew that he was completely dependent on the Lord for the joy that he knew in their relationship. Thus, his prayer. Further, and this raises an interesting question, David then prays to be sustained with a willing spirit. The question is did he learn that he needed that sustaining because of this failure?
Regardless, what was true for David is for us as well. We are dependent on Him, completely dependent on Him, both for the joy we have in our relationship with Him as well as our perseverance in a willing spirit to follow Him.
Perhaps, like David, that reality should inform our prayer.
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