Faithful Wounds

by Joyce Sykes
Published April 25, 2007

Pain comes into each and every life. Physical, mental or emotional pain, but pain just the same. Often that pain is inflicted by a loved one or even a close friend, even through it is not intentional. It just happens; it might have been a word spoken out of season, or maybe a careless movement.

Such an event took place in my life last year, resulting in physical pain. The entire episode was not a malicious act, but actually came from a desire to help. I had decided to try out my daughter’s treadmill. My granddaughters were playing in the area and wanted to watch as Grandma made her debut. Up I step and begin the motion of walking at a slow pace with the intention of getting familiar with the contraption. One of my granddaughters wanted to instruct me on how to speed it up. Before I realized what was happening, the machine was going at top speed and I was not. As I struck the floor half on and half off, the oldest one quickly turned off the machine and ran for help.

I looked up into the fear-filled eyes of a shocked little girl just staring at me lying on the floor. My heart broke for her even as my body quickly rebelled from the impact of the fall. She had caused me pain and she was terrified. Not only that I had just fallen, but I had just recovered from surgery on a broken arm followed by months of physical therapy. “Grandma, are you alright? Grandma, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…” Her words trailed off as tears welled up and spilled onto her cheeks. Without meaning to, her actions resulted in pain.

So often, pain comes into our life by the well-meaning actions of a friend. Frequently the Lord will use a loved one to confront us and with that confrontation, comes pain. It is not His desire to cause pain, but it is His desire to confront issues and sins that result in a wedge in our relationship to Him. This was the case with Nathan the prophet.

King David had allowed him self to become involved with another man’s wife. Then he attempted to cover that sin by various means of deception. When his plans failed, then David sent Bathsheba’s husband Uriah to the battlefront to be killed. David’s shortcomings resulted in the death of an innocent man. No matter how he tried, he could not cover up his sins. The Lord knew it all and instructed Nathan to confront King David.

Nathan knew that if things went bad, he could lose his life in this situation. David was king and with one word, he could end the life of God’s messenger. Yet, determined to be obedient to the Lord, Nathan knew he had to speak words of truth to his friend. As he prepared to face his ruler, I imagine Nathan prayed that David would have a tender heart and open ears.

There could have been many different reactions to the prophet’s words. David could have become angry – how dare anyone confront him? After all, he was king. Or maybe justification – “I deserve to be happy!” David could have placed the blame on Bathsheba, “She shouldn’t have been on the roof like that!” Yet, we see the very heart of this man revealed. I truly feel the whole episode reveals part of the very reason the Lord choose him as king. David was a man who desired to follow the Lord.

David’s heart must have melted as he heard the prophet’s words. He had failed and in that failure, he had brought pain to others. Nathan watched and listened as this king humbled his heart and repented. “Against You and You alone have I sinned.” At that moment David was aware of one thing, he had sinned against his Lord. All of his actions and failure had brought sorrow to the heart of his God. As he repented, every thought, action and intent of his heart became exposed in the Light.

As tears coursed down his cheeks, he also felt the forgiveness that comes from true repentance. In spite of his failures, David recognized God’s love surrounding him. It was manifested by the very fact that Nathan confronted him. He was loved, and as he repented, he found the forgiveness he so desperately needed.

The Lord still uses these same methods to reveal hearts today. He may use friends or loved ones to speak truth just as He used Nathan so long ago. On the other hand, maybe certain verses in His Word will shine His light on our heart. As these times come into our life, we must learn to accept His corrections. Moreover, as David, may we recognize the love of the Lord in spite of our mistakes and failures. As we seek repentance, may we also find the forgiveness of this great and mighty God we serve.

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