You Are That Man!

It’s always amazing to me to watch people who are knowingly sinning, knowingly hurting someone, knowingly in private and public rebellion toward God, and they are carrying on their lives as if nothing happened. Whether they are personally deluded, or simply pretending that their sin didn’t really occur, they live as if they are completely innocent. Some even say, “I’m completely pure.” Not only have I watched this in the past, but I am also seeing it personally in the present. It can be downright frustrating. Often there is the cry, “How long, Lord, will you let them get away with it?” Friends, for those of you waiting for God’s justice to arise, continue to wait. Don’t take things into your own hands. God’s justice is coming. We wait for it as we wait on Him. No one gets away with any sin, ever.

“Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue me from their destructions, My precious life from the lions.” Psalms 35:17 (NKJV)

 “O God, how long will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever?” Psalms 74:10 (NKJV)

“Yet for Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Awake! Why do You sleep, O Lord? Arise! Do not cast us off forever. Why do You hide Your face, And forget our affliction and our oppression? For our soul is bowed down to the dust; Our body clings to the ground. Arise for our help, And redeem us for Your mercies’ sake.” Psalms 44:22-26 (NKJV) 

King David sinned in a wickedly diabolical way. He went from adultery to murder, literally, within a few days. Then for nine months or so, he lived his life as if he got away with it. That is until God sent Nathan to him with a little story. I’m so thankful for the sending power of God, aren’t you?! The story of a rich man stealing a precious ewe lamb from a family infuriated David to the point where he pronounced the death sentence on that man! What the man in the story did wasn’t deserving of death – either in the law of the land or the law of God. But David, carrying around his sin for so long, was actually pronouncing the sentence he deserved upon himself.

Then, at just the right moment, Nathan declares, “You are that man!” Convicted. Humbled. Broken. Changed. In a moment’s time, from the sending grace of God, David was brought back to a right relationship with his Lord!

You Are That Man!”: STUDY BEGINS AT 40:26 MARK

His response is epic. “I have sinned.” This is the only acceptable response to the conviction of sin in our lives. I have sinned. Admit it. Repent from it. Make things right immediately.

I’m encouraged by how David didn’t make excuses. He didn’t dodge the reality. He didn’t offer some half-hearted, “I’m sorry maybe kind of for whatever I’ve sort of done that now you’re feeling so bad but really shouldn’t” response. I’ve heard my fair share of those as I’m sure you have, too. Instead, David simply says it right: “I have sinned!” It’s raw. It’s real. While it’s recorded that he said three important words, Psalm 51 unfolds for us his heart behind the words. What a powerful picture of true godly sorrow leading to repentance!

Friend, make it right with God. Make it right with others. Return to your love relationship with Jesus today. In fact remember this, “You are that man/woman!”