God Will Still Smile On You
Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The LORD loved him; and because the LORD loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah.
2 Samuel 12: 24-25.
2 Samuel 12: 24-25.
The love of God is so comforting! The love of God is so pure! The love of God is so refreshing!
The love of God is so magnanimous that it is simply overwhelming. Who could ever imagine that the God who struck dead David’s first child with Bathsheba would now take such bubbling delight in the second son that came out of that same womb? God does not delight in punishing us. God delights in correcting, disciplining and restoring us. That is the picture we see here.
God had brought correction. David had learned his lesson. Discipline had taken place and it was now time to bless and restore even amidst the reaping of the consequences.
The name Jedidiah simply means loved by the LORD. God was telling David that his love for him remained unchanged as evidenced by the love He had for Solomon. God was giving David the assurance that his dynasty was going to continue in spite of his sins. Divine judgment never erases divine love! In fact, divine judgment is simply meant to reinforce divine love.
God never rejects us because we have sinned. Does He allow us to face the consequences? Yes. But does he reject us? Absolutely not! The Bible tells us: ‘’Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.’’ (Isaiah 55:7). That is the true heart of God. He wants us to repent from our sins and run into His loving arms.
So, do not allow the Devil to beat you up with guilt. Do not allow your sin to hold you back. Truly repent, turn a new page, determine to love God with all your heart and watch Him smile upon you in spite of the consequences you may reap. In fact, He will give you enough grace to handle whatever consequences you may be dealing with. Take hold of the lesson of Jedidiah because you are deeply loved by God. God will still smile on you. He is your Father. He loves you dearly.
The Bible gives us some very comforting words in Hosea 6:1-2: ‘’Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us; He has injured us but He will bind up our wounds. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will restore us, that we may live in His presence.
Your Jedidiah might be right around the corner. God will still smile on you.
The love of God is so magnanimous that it is simply overwhelming. Who could ever imagine that the God who struck dead David’s first child with Bathsheba would now take such bubbling delight in the second son that came out of that same womb? God does not delight in punishing us. God delights in correcting, disciplining and restoring us. That is the picture we see here.
God had brought correction. David had learned his lesson. Discipline had taken place and it was now time to bless and restore even amidst the reaping of the consequences.
The name Jedidiah simply means loved by the LORD. God was telling David that his love for him remained unchanged as evidenced by the love He had for Solomon. God was giving David the assurance that his dynasty was going to continue in spite of his sins. Divine judgment never erases divine love! In fact, divine judgment is simply meant to reinforce divine love.
God never rejects us because we have sinned. Does He allow us to face the consequences? Yes. But does he reject us? Absolutely not! The Bible tells us: ‘’Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.’’ (Isaiah 55:7). That is the true heart of God. He wants us to repent from our sins and run into His loving arms.
So, do not allow the Devil to beat you up with guilt. Do not allow your sin to hold you back. Truly repent, turn a new page, determine to love God with all your heart and watch Him smile upon you in spite of the consequences you may reap. In fact, He will give you enough grace to handle whatever consequences you may be dealing with. Take hold of the lesson of Jedidiah because you are deeply loved by God. God will still smile on you. He is your Father. He loves you dearly.
The Bible gives us some very comforting words in Hosea 6:1-2: ‘’Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us; He has injured us but He will bind up our wounds. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will restore us, that we may live in His presence.
Your Jedidiah might be right around the corner. God will still smile on you.
Prayer: Father, I thank you for your unfathomable love for me. Help me to truly internalize this deep and assuring love you have for me. Help me never to get bitter because you have disciplined me. Help me to understand that you will always smile on me when I truly repent. Amen