After David has unwittingly pronounced judgment on himself ( 2 Samuel 12.5-6), Nathan confronts him with the enormity of his sin. David’s heart is broken, and he confesses his sin. Immediately Nathan assures him that “The LORD also has put away your sin” (2 Samuel 12:13) and that he is forgiven. There is no waiting period on God’s forgiveness. David doesn’t have to prove that he is really sincere before forgiveness is extended.

However, Nathan, who has already predicted the consequences of David’s sin in 2 Samuel 12:10-12, goes on to state that the child to be born will die.

What does it mean that God had taken away David’s sin? Did He just wipe the slate clean? Does everyone just simply forget about it? Read 2 Samuel 12:10-23 as you contemplate these questions.

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David must also have wondered about these questions as he saw his world crumbling — the baby dead, his family in disarray (the stories of Amnon and Absalom are two good examples of real-life family troubles), his future uncertain. And yet, despite the consequences of his sin, which has affected innocent people such as Uriah and the new-born baby, David also begins to understand that God’s grace will cover this and that someday all the consequences of sin will be done away with. In the meantime, he can find rest for his troubled conscience in God’s grace.

What does David feel he really needs? What does he yearn for? Read Psalm 51:1-6.

With Psalm 51, David goes public as he opens his heart and confesses his sins. David’s cry for mercy appeals to God’s unfailing love and His great compassion. He yearns for renewal.

When we consider the cost of rest in Jesus, we need first to recognize that we need outside help; we are sinners and need a Savior; we recognize our sins and cry out to the only One who can wash us, cleanse us, and renew us. When we do this, we can take courage: here is an adulterer, a manipulator, a murderer, and someone who violated at least five of the Ten Commandments who calls for help — and claims the promise of God’s forgiveness.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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In the midst of one of the darkest times of David’s life there is good news: God sends His prophet. Nathan and David knew each other well. Earlier, Nathan had counseled David on his plans to build a temple (2 Samuel 7). Now, though, the prophet comes with a different task to perform for his king.

Why do you think Nathan chooses to tell a story rather than naming and shaming David immediately? Read 2 Samuel 12:1-14.

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Nathan knew what to say, and he said it in a way that David could understand. He told a story that David, the former shepherd, could relate to. He knew David’s highly developed sense of justice and integrity. Thus, in a sense, one could say that Nathan set a trap and that David walked right into it.

When David unwittingly pronounces his own death sentence, Nathan tells him “You are the man” (2 Samuel 12:7). There are different ways of saying “You are the man.” One can shout it, one can accuse and stick a finger right into the other person’s face, or one can express concern and care. Nathan’s words must have been laced with grace. At that moment, David must have felt the pain that God must feel when one of His sons or daughters knowingly steps outside of His will. Something clicked in David’s mind. Something tore in his heart.

Why does David respond with: “I have sinned against the LORD” rather than, “I have sinned against Bathsheba” or “I am a murderer” (2 Samuel 12:13; see also Psalm 51:4)?

David recognized that sin, which makes our heart restless, is primarily an affront against God, the Creator and Redeemer. We hurt ourselves; we affect others. We bring disgrace to our families or churches. Yet ultimately, we hurt God and drive another nail into the rough beam pointing heavenward on Golgotha.

“The prophet’s rebuke touched the heart of David; conscience was aroused; his guilt appeared in all its enormity. His soul was bowed in penitence before God. With trembling lips he said, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ All wrong done to others reaches back from the injured one to God. David had committed a grievous sin, toward both Uriah and Bathsheba, and he keenly felt this. But infinitely greater was his sin against God.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 722.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

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Rest. The word used most frequently in our Sabbath School Lesson pamphlet this quarter. “Thou shalt rest, Thou shalt rest!” These are words repeated each verse of
Hymn 387 – Come, O Sabbath Day, our theme hymn for this quarter.

There Is a Place of Quiet Rest
Near to the Heart of God – Hymn 495 opens our singing this week from the very first sentence on Sabbath afternoon’s introduction to this weeks’ study. This is followed by
Hymn 503 – A Quiet Place.

For the “Worn and Weary”,
Hymn 370 – Christ for the World shows in verse 1 that Christ heals. The weary one is sung about in
Hymn 441 – I Saw One Weary. Further worn out people are sung of in
Hymn 453 – We Have Heard and
Hymn 465 – I Heard the Voice of Jesus. It is then that in
Hymn 626 – In a Little While We’re Going Home we see the wayworn feet find the rest beyond……in that City bright and fair.

Just as King David was given his “Wake-Up Call”, so we can wake up in singing
Hymn 611 – Awake, My Soul.

King David confessed his sins. We can see this in
Hymn 49 – Savior, Breathe an Evening Blessing and then know and feel the forgiveness in
Hymn 187 – Jesus What a Friend For Sinners. The result is seeing
The Cleansing Wave – Hymn 332 as in King David’s reference to cleansing with hyssop. The request of joy and gladness is then granted –
Hymn 27 – Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart! and
Hymn 34 – Wake the Song of Joy and Gladness.

We can be very thankful for the
Marvelous Grace – Hymn 109 in which there is pardon and cleansing – 1 John 1:9.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing, but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: 2 Samuel 11:1-27, 2 Samuel 12:1-23, Genesis 3:1-8, 1 John 1:9.

Memory Text: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

Many people seem desperate to find a little peace and quiet. They are willing to pay for it, too. In many big cities there are internet-free rooms, which can be rented by the hour. The rules are strict — no noise, no visitors. People are willing to pay to be able to sit quietly and just think or nap. There are sleep pods that can be rented in airports, or noise-reducing earphones are popular items. There are even canvas hoods, or collapsible privacy shields that you can buy to pull over your head and torso for a quick workplace break.

True rest also has a cost. While the spin doctors of the self-help media would like to make us believe that we can determine our own destiny and that rest is just a matter of choice and planning, yet, at least when we consider this honestly, we realize our inability to bring true rest to our hearts. In the fourth-century, Augustine put it succinctly in his famous Confessions (Book 1) as he considered God’s grace: “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in you.”

This week we look briefly into the life of the man after God’s own heart to find out how he discovered the true cost of God’s rest.

Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, July 24.

Sunday–>

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Support for the mission activities of the Seventh-day Adventist church has always been part of the Sabbath School program. This video is Mission Spotlight for this week.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuhmeWQrJuA]

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