What do you do when you’ve done everything you know to do and things still don’t work out? That’s where we find David in 2 Samuel 12. His baby boy was sick and David was taking it hard. So he dropped everything and went to prayer. He fasted. He lay each night on the hard, cold ground. When friends tried to make him more comfortable or get him to eat something, he refused. He only cared about one thing – his child being healed.
This went on for seven days until David sensed the worst. No one had told him that the child had died. David was in such a sad state they feared what the news might do to him. So he asked, and they told him.
Then David did something that puzzled everyone. He got up, washed, put on a fresh change of clothes, went to the House of God to worship, then came home and ate. His friends thought he would be a basket case, but he wasn’t. He explained, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again?
I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:22-23)
David knew he had a kingdom to govern, many people to care for, a family and remaining children to support and guide. He also knew in his heart that he and his baby son would be reunited in eternity. So standing on the promises of God, he committed it all into the Lord’s hands and went on with his life.
What do you do when you’ve done everything you know to do and things still don’t work out? Paul said, “And having done all…stand.” (Ephesians 6:13). Stand on the promises of God and keep going. Then what? You stand. And after that, what? You keep on standing!
There are some things in life for which answers will not be given until we reach eternity. So commit it to God and get back to the business of living and what God has called you to do.
By the way, did I mention the future blessings? Don’t forget them. The baby that died was the first son born to David and Bath-sheba. But that’s not the end of the story. A second son was to come along as a result of that union. His name was Solomon, and the rest is history!
Pastor Todd Weston
This went on for seven days until David sensed the worst. No one had told him that the child had died. David was in such a sad state they feared what the news might do to him. So he asked, and they told him.
Then David did something that puzzled everyone. He got up, washed, put on a fresh change of clothes, went to the House of God to worship, then came home and ate. His friends thought he would be a basket case, but he wasn’t. He explained, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again?
I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:22-23)
David knew he had a kingdom to govern, many people to care for, a family and remaining children to support and guide. He also knew in his heart that he and his baby son would be reunited in eternity. So standing on the promises of God, he committed it all into the Lord’s hands and went on with his life.
What do you do when you’ve done everything you know to do and things still don’t work out? Paul said, “And having done all…stand.” (Ephesians 6:13). Stand on the promises of God and keep going. Then what? You stand. And after that, what? You keep on standing!
There are some things in life for which answers will not be given until we reach eternity. So commit it to God and get back to the business of living and what God has called you to do.
By the way, did I mention the future blessings? Don’t forget them. The baby that died was the first son born to David and Bath-sheba. But that’s not the end of the story. A second son was to come along as a result of that union. His name was Solomon, and the rest is history!
Pastor Todd Weston