"You Are the Man!"

"One Year Bible" Old Testament History Passage
II Samuel 12:1-31

"Then Nathan said to David, 'You are the man!'"  II Samuel 12:7a (NKJV)

This is one of the most dramatic moments in the life of David.  He had stood against Goliath and won.  He had overcome the murderous pursuit of Saul and survived.  He had endured the years of humbling waiting for his destiny.  He had finally become King of all Israel.

It has been said that we sometimes can handle our days of struggle far better than our days of success.  The days of battle and testing kept us on the straight and narrow.  The days of abundance and tranquility gave occasion for critical missteps.  Such was the case for David.

He had committed adultery with Bathsheba and then disposed of her husband Uriah.  He had used his power to commit and to cover his sins.  It seemed that he had gotten away with it.  But, God was watching. 

God sent a prophet named Nathan to confront David.  This is an awesome encounter.  Nathan surely exhibited true courage.  He confronted the most powerful man in Israel -- a man who had already shown that he would kill in order to preserve his power.  Skillfully, Nathan laid out a parable about a rich man who abused a poor man.  When David's righteous anger was aroused against the report of such an abuse, Nathan uttered the famous words, "Thou are the man!"

Here's a question: do you allow the Lord to rebuke you?  We might answer quickly that we invite THE LORD to correct us.  But what if He sends a friend of yours to do His job?  What if a PERSON brings the Word of the Lord to you?  That makes it more difficult, doesn't it?

I believe that the Lord regularly DOES send a "Nathan" to those whose hearts are open to His instruction.  Our friends will gently and lovingly bring help to us by speaking truth in love.

David received the Word of the Lord through Nathan.  His path thereafter was beset by adversity because of his sin, but he did go on to accomplish many great things in the balance of his life.  God fulfilled His Word to David even though David nearly threw it away.  Do you have a Nathan?  Will you continue to grow as God corrects you?