What is My Godview?

S - 2 Samuel 12:13-14, 21-25 (NIV): "Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die."  … His servants asked him, "Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!" He answered, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, 'Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.' But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me." Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with 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."

O - The exchanges between David and the Lord are quite unusual when considered in the context of religious culture and mores.  Before David asks for forgiveness he's told that the Lord has already taken away his sin.  Even under the consequences of a dying child, he pursues the Lord and his tender mercies.  Then, when the season passes the Lord responds with NO grudge.  The next baby will be known to the world as Solomon but the Lord will call him Jedidiah - "loved by the Lord."

A - Does my worldview and my "Godview" include such possibilities as revealed in the life, times and God of David? Do I simply accept the religious (even well-intended) culture of my day or do I pursue the Living God who is already engaged in life on earth? David's penitent Psalm (Psalm 51) is based on the same "assumptions." The Lord loves us, forgives us and makes a way for us to go and grow forward; with the Lord nothing is impossible, too difficult or too wonderful.  While the culture of David's day focused on what is seen he knows better. David prays (Psalm 51:16-17): "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

P - Lord who pursues the broken hearted,

Thank you for your tender mercies which are new every morning.  Thank you for loving us at our worst and not just at our best.  Thank you for calling us to yourself and to the unseen so that we might really live.  Lord, open my eyes and please touch my heart to pursue you in the same way that David did.  Today while it is called today I can offer you the sacrifices you love.  Thank you that a heart broken open to you is always your desire.  I break my heart open to you.
Steve