Hope For Life; Praise God In Death
“And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became ill. David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them. Then on the seventh day it came to pass that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. For they said, ‘Indeed, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him that the child is dead? He may do some harm!’
“When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, ‘Is the child dead?’
“And they said, ‘He is dead.’
“So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate. Then his servants said to him, ‘What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you arose and ate food.’
“And he said, ‘While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, “Who can tell whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?” But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me’” (2 Samuel 12:15-23 NKJV emphasis mine).
Here David shows us true hope. In hope David pleaded, fasted, and wept to God for his child’s life.
When the LORD said no, David rose and washed, anointed himself, changed his clothes, went into God’s house and worshiped, and went to his own house and ate.
It seems like Christians hope for very little, because they are afraid of being disappointed. And on the rare chance they hope for much, they grow bitter at God if He says no. (In fact, David’s servants worried David would react this way once he found out the child was dead.)
But David hopes for something great. He hopes for something only the LORD can provide—the life of his son. And when God says no, he worships.
He says with Job, “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21 NKJV).
Instead of hoping for few blessings and few trials. Hope for much, and praise God in all things.
What do you think?
Joseph
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Disclaimer: I'm not your pastor, lawyer, accountant, economist, doctor. I’m a regular guy who wants the freedom to love and enjoy God, my wife, my kids, and my work. And I believe pursuing that freedom will make it easier for others to do the same. This isn’t professional advice. If you need professional advice, talk to a professional.