ONLY GOD

Only God can mend a broken heart. Only God can bring healing to the grieving soul. It is only God who gives us a heart soft enough to recognize our rebellion and to actually weep over it as well…and to have a heart transformation.

Take time to read 2 Samuel 12:15-24; Psalm 51; and Matthew 5:4.

The Bible gives us the account of King David who slept with the wife of a loyal commander of his, then David had him killed when she became pregnant. After his initial denial, David breaks down in anguish and grief when confronted by the prophet Nathan.

It is only God who can change the human heart and melt the heart of stone. We can reflect on King David’s life and see the heart of stone has been replaced with a heart of flesh. Now it hurts over sin and is grieved over what God is grieved about. 

The prayer of David makes it clear that he is now grief-stricken over his sin with Bathsheba, as he tells God his bones, spirit, and heart are all broken (Psalm 51:8, 17). Take the time to be still and ask the LORD to show you any area in your life or a time when God revealed to YOU the true depth of your sin and rebellion against Him. 

We can understand from Scripture that it is God who softens the heart. It is God who gives us a heart soft enough to recognize our rebellion and to weep over it (read Ezekiel 36:26). Why on earth would anyone want to hold onto a “heart of stone” and sin against God? Is there anyone particular that you know who seems highly resistant to having his or her heart broken by God to see the sin in their own heart? Pray Ezekiel 36:26 over them and intercede for them as the LORD leads you by HIS HOLY SPIRIT.

Why did God send the prophet Nathan to King David? Because God wanted David to be set free and to find forgiveness (2 Samuel 12:13). David does find forgiveness and prays that God will restore his joy of salvation (Psalm 51:12). 

We can keep on reading the later psalms of David and see the fulfillment of his petition as well. In order to arrive at this place of fullness of joy, one must first go through mourning that comes through genuine repentance. Repentance and forgiveness go hand-in-hand. Without both, there is no genuine relationship!

As the story continues….David mourns again, this time over the sick child of his union with Bathsheba, now his wife. In 2 Samuel, King David is in anguish over his child’s illness but seems to recover somewhat after the baby dies. David gave it all to God, wept and prayed. After the death of his child, David got up and washed himself, put lotions on, and changed his clothes. Then he went to the LORD’s house to worship. After that, he went home and asked for something to eat. His servants gave him some food, and he ate. 

His servants asked him why he was doing this….and David responded that he couldn’t bring him back to life but would see him again someday. Then David comforted Bathsheba his wife. (2 Samuel 12:24), which must have not been easy, as he had to be in great pain himself. But God “comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort [others]” (2 Cor. 1:4). 

Glorifying God in times of pain can seem hard, but the Father God provides strength needed for whatever He asks of us. When we grieve, it can be very soothing to the soul to remember what Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). 

You may have experienced extreme grief, regret, sadness or rebellion and pain due to making a wrong choice in life. God wants to bring healing to every place that hurts! Even if God doesn’t fix earthly sorrows that come to all, the joy of salvation is always available because of JESUS! 

HIS love and mine, 

Deborah