GUIDED BY HIS EYE
Key Verse: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (v.1)
Key Theme: David on being forgiven regarding Bathsheba and Uriah.
Key Descriptives of God: Forgiver; Hiding Place; He Who Guides With His Eye
Psalm 32 takes us into the aftermath of David’s sin. It is thought that this is after Nathan the prophet has confronted him not just on taking Bathsheba but for setting up the death of her husband Uriah. I have often compared aspects of David and the assignment of David with President Trump. This has often made people mad as they process the comparison. How can I even mention them in the same breath? David, the man of the Psalms, the man who says “Who shall ascend God’s holy mountain?”, the man who says, “Oh, to behold the beauty of the Lord”— How can I compare tough/rough speaking, 3 times married President Trump with him?! Read on.
David’s Sin
Well, David’s sin was HUGE in every way and seemingly disqualifying for him still being God’s man of the hour. There is a reason he uses four different words for SIN in verses 1 and 2 to describe what he had done. It was not simple sin. He uses the words TRANSGRESSION, SIN, INIQUITY, and DECEIT (v.1,2) to describe his failure. In Hebrew, these words are PESHA, CHATA’AH, AVON, REMIYAH. (If you try to pronounce those words— with the exception of AVON, they all even sound like you did something really bad). PESHA means or implies “rebellion; a revolt”. CHATA’AH means “a calamity”. AVON is actually maybe the worst word as it means “depravity”. REMIYAH means “treachery”.
“At a Time When Kings go to War”
As we remember the story out of 2 Samuel 11, David was on his roof and saw Bathsheba bathing on some housetop below his. He desired her and so he took her— since he was King. Her husband, Uriah, who was one of David’s prestigious “mighty men” was with the army at war. David might have gotten away with his sin of adultery (or rape, if she had no choice) except for the fact she got pregnant. So now David had Uriah called in from battle to be with his wife so that the pregnancy would not be discovered. But Uriah being an honorable man, refused to go in and sleep with Bathsheba until the battle was over— thereby defeating David’s own attempt to cover his sin. David then upped the ante on his sin, and why 4 words are needed to describe it. It was not “simple adultery”. The sin starts with the first verse of 2 Sam. 11, telling us David was on his rooftop “at a time when kings go to war”. A whole message here right? He was supposed to be with his men in battle. But instead, he finds himself taking for himself, not just a “Jezebel seductress” but one of his few, chosen, mighty man’s wife. His set of sins will advance all the way to him ordering his General Joab to position Uriah on the front lines of battle and then pull back his battle support so that he is overwhelmed. It happens and Uriah is killed. It was “rebellion” ( for not going to war leading his men), It was “a calamity” for further harming the battlefield position by removing one of the top warriors. It was “treachery” in multiple directions. The treachery towards Uriah is the clearest. General Joab perhaps never forgets this day as he later in life turns on David and supports Absalom in his treacherous attempt to take the throne. One can only imagine the effect on the men around Uriah who are told to pull back and ‘sacrifice’ one of their own. And yes, the “depravity” of David’s passions is exposed before all because he is King and could already have any single woman he wanted and just add her to his harem— but no he had to take it to another level. If I were God, this is the day I forget about David’s wonderful love poems/psalms and I say DISQUALIFIED!
Blessed is He Whose Sin is Forgiven
The NLT says it this way, “Oh what joy” to those whose sin is forgiven. In the first 5 verses, David lays out an understanding of the grace of God that Paul will quote it in Romans 4, as he tells of the blessedness of the man who sin is not imputed or charged to him. David while living under the old covenant discovered the God of the new covenant. Better said, God has always been a God who wants to forgive sin because of profound repentance and not because sheep and bulls have been sacrificed. Sin is often seen as a legal matter but in God’s eyes, it has always been a heart matter. Anybody can legally say “I’m sorry” and “ok, I said it” (or sacrifice a lamb as back then). It is another to allow the levels of sin to register in one’s heart, confess them in detail to the Lord, ask for forgiveness, and then pause and fully accept the undeserved forgiveness until it turns to joy. Verses 3-5 let us know he wasn’t originally “quick to repent” and suffered terribly from it. “Day and night” the Lord was putting His hand on his shoulder in a heavier and heavier way until repentance came.
While There is Still Time
“Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.” (v.6) David never lost his identity of “godly”. He refused the identity the enemy was certainly trying to tag him with. “You rebellious, treacherous, calamitous, depraved murdering adulterer. Get that crown off your head! You are done.” But despite the humility and transparency, it required of David to walk in repentance, he did it. His Psalms were not just a private journal— and it was more than once he was singing and telling of the “big sin” everyone knew about. While there is still time? There is time while you breathe. “The floodwaters of judgment” are in the afterlife. “Floodwaters of consequences” still happen in this life and that was true with David as well. Loss of their child, loss of respect with his inner circle, perhaps his own sons inwardly turning on him over that sin etc.etc.. On and on there were consequences.
Sin is Costly: God is Good
People who flippantly say, “Well, God forgave David of adultery and even murder” need to stay aware of the whole picture. Sin is costly. I know of a well-known name in ministry who pre-planned his adultery, divorce, and remarriage, based on knowing that God would forgive him because He forgave David for worse. He was legally correct on the sin matter but he failed to adequately count the cost in the eyes of the people. He had even projected how long it would take people to “get over” his sin and so he would be back in good graces with all. That time has long passed and it has not worked out. Perhaps the deeper devious nature of it all needs confessing? I will leave that alone and only say, that God is a great Redeemer. He allowed Bathsheba’s son Solomon to be His chosen next King. So much insight into the thorough way He does forgive even major, “unforgivable” sins. In this Summer of His Love, He is putting His “heavy hand” on many shoulders calling them into repentance. Both in the church and out of the church. God loves it when even the worst of sinners repent. He may have some “deep staters” that are presently Sauls, that will become Pauls. Full, thorough repentance always offers the best path moving forward. It always maintains destiny of some nature intact. God is sooo good.
I Will Guide You With My Eye
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” (v.8) This is the takeaway verse of the day. He wants to guide you not just by His hand (pointing), not just by His Word, but by His eye. This requires you looking at His face and seeing what He is looking at. What intimacy that is. It is not about searching the scriptures to see what you can legally get away with or not. That is not really who He is. The goal is to become so close to Him that you begin to recognize what He is looking at. By looking into His face you will also be able to recognize His demeanor, as He looks at what He looks at. A book could be written on this— but I fear I have already gone longer than I proposed to. Today, may His face shine on you, and may you see what He is looking at and His demeanor as He does. He always looks at you first.
Written by: Johnny Enlow
Featured Image by chris ganser on Unsplash
67 DAY COUNTDOWN SERIES
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The 67 Day Countdown Series is brought to you by Johnny and Elizabeth Enlow, founders of Restore7 ministry, as well as international speakers and best-selling authors. Among Johnny’s books are The Seven Mountain Prophecy, The Seven Mountain Mantle, Rainbow God, The Seven Mountain Renaissance, Becoming A Superhero, and RISE. Elizabeth serves as CEO and penned Rainbow God: The Seven Colors of Love and God in Every Season.
