David was called a man after God’s own heart (1 Samual 13:14), but he fell into sin, committing adultery and murder. How can this happen? How can it be said that David was a man after God’s own heart?
Righteousness by Faith
Upon surveying the Bible, we find this is not an uncommon pattern. Abraham, instead of waiting for God to fulfill His promise to provide a child through Sarah, married his servant. However, God would still use his seed to bless all nations through the promised Messiah. Joseph’s brothers wanted to murder him, but chose to sell him into slavery—an act meant for evil but redeemed by God for good. Moses was a murderer, but God used him to deliver His people from captivity. From all of these situations, we see that God accomplishes His promises and purposes despite the evil intentions of men. Despite our brokenness and failures, God is always faithful to keep His promises.
Sin Still Has Consequences
David, like Abraham, Moses, and many others, was considered righteous by faith (Hebrews 11). But this does not mean he was free from sin or its consequences. God used the prophet Nathan to rebuke David. David was told that the “sword would not depart from his house” because of his sin (2 Samuel 12:10), and ultimately he lost the child he had in his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. However, David, recognizing his guilt and sinfulness, repented and returned to the Lord (Psalm 51).
Rest and Return
We can rest in the promise that we are securely held in the hands of the Father. By faith in God’s provision through Jesus Christ, we have passed from death into eternal life (John 5:24). However, the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father disciplines his children (Hebrews 12:4–11). Sin has consequences. We are not to presume on the Father’s grace, thinking we can escape the temporal consequences of sin in our lives. Resting in God’s promises means we constantly return to Him in moments of sin, temptation, and doubt.
This teaching is based on Ken Boa’s Handbook to Scripture.
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