2 Samuel 15-18 (The Daily Walk Bible).

In our reading today we see the fulfillment God’s words to David from Nathan: “Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun'” (2 Samuel 12:11). This is David’s punishment because of his sin.

Didn’t David contribute to it by his attitude towards his children? Certainly, and God knew it as well. But just because God takes into account earthly matters doesn’t mean sovereignty is denied! If David hadn’t sinned the way he did, then God certainly could have quelled the rebellion before it started, even with David’s shortcomings. God allowed the natural consequences of David’s sin and shortcomings to to come to fruition in order to punish David for his actions. And, if we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll admit that there are times that God doesn’t have to do much to punish us for our sins, because the natural consequences of our behavior is often disaster!

When something does happen to us that we believe the Lord allows or the Lord actively causes because of our sinfulness, we have to remember that it’s because he loves us and wants us to be more like Him. Hebrews 12:5-6 says, “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.’”

We also find Absalom receiving justice for his actions. It takes awhile but it happens. And that becomes a reminder that justice does come. It just doesn’t always happen when we want it to, or even in our lifetimes!