God's People: Nathan

And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds; but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. He brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his meager fare, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him. Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was loath to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb, and prepared that for the guest who had come to him.” Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man. He said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.”
Nathan said to David, “You are the man! ~ 2 Samuel 12:1-7a


"You are the man!" 

 What a great dramatic moment this is! David's sin with Bathsheba is announced in a clever and yes, dramatic way, by Nathan - the prophet who has taken over Samuel's role in the household of the king. 

 Just as Samuel was there as a goad to Saul, so now is Nathan one to David. 

 And the best part is that he gets David to implicate himself! 

 It's easy to get caught up in our own press. To miss the mistakes we make, the wrongs we do to others, and the judgments we make that might be out of line.

 To get so caught up in the wrong of others that we don't see what's happening in the mirror.

 When we do, it is probably helpful to have someone who works as a goad for us as Nathan for David. Someone who can prick our conscience. Paint us a picture. Tell us a story.

 Remind us not to get so angry at the actions of others that we miss our own missteps.

 Nathan didn't come out and just lecture David. He helped David see for himself how he had let God down. He told David a story in words David would understand - David was a shepherd after all.

 Sometimes we need a good storyteller to show us the truth.

 Prayer: In the story of my life, God, send me a storyteller who can help move me to faith, love, and truth. Amen

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