Everyone Needs a Nathan

When David sinned by committing adultery with Bathsheba, it seemed like he would get away with it. After he arranged for her husband’s death, David married Bathsheba, and they enjoyed their new child together. The Bible has no record of anyone from David’s inner crowd chastising him for his sin. Not the servants who sent for Bathsheba. Not the general (Joab) who put Uriah in a place where he would be killed in battle. However, there was a prophet of God who wouldn’t let David get away with his sin.

Nathan was wise in his approach to David—he didn’t come right out and say what David had done. Instead, he told a story about a man who loved his ewe lamb and how a rich man (with many flocks and herds) selfishly slaughtered the poor man’s beloved lamb in order to entertain company. David was outraged and called for the rich man’s death. In response, Nathan said to David, “You are the man!”

While we may not have done the same sins as David, we have fallen short and needed to hear correction from someone close to us. We need a Nathan to remind us that God has blessed us with many blessings so we don’t covet. We need a Nathan to encourage us to live righteous and pure lives that are untainted by worldly living. We need a Nathan so our hearts don’t become full of pride and selfishness because of our spiritual or financial increase.

Being an active part of the body of Christ gives us much exposure. We are exposed of our own shortcomings as well as those of other people. A true Nathan in our lives won’t look to judge us too harshly or quickly because they are always aware of their own faults. Yet they love us too much to let us wander in the darkness of sin.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I pray for people in my life who will encourage me to keep my eyes on Christ and not the things of this world. Amen.

In His Service,

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