A Slowly Grinding Wheel

O. T. #707  "A Slowly Grinding Wheel"
March 3, 2016
2 Samuel 12
so the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to tell David...  2 Samuel 12:1


LET IT GLOW

Have you ever seen a water wheel that was used to grind wheat or corn, or gears turning large industrial machines used in past centuries? I have seen a few around our country. These wheels/gears turn slowly and at a steady pace. One would think that speed would be better, but not so. The job is eventually accomplished. David's life is an example.

Ohhh, can we move now? David's plan A and B failed and he devised plan C, which resulted in murder. He took Bathsheba as his wife. Can we close the book on that hideous story? Can we pick up in chapter 12 and move on? Have a battle or Well, months and perhaps a year passed by, some think. This escapade is not over yet. Hang in there with me friends.

The Bible is truthful and trustworthy in all its content. (Falwell)

God could have left out all this bad stuff in David's life, but He didn't. Is its purpose to be a lesson for us to learn, a warning?

Let's think about it. David's secret sin with Bathsheba and then the murdering of her husband was not actually a secret. David's messengers and counselors knew about his adultery; Joab knew about David's order to send Uriah to the front of the battle so he would be killed. And then there was God who was displeased with what David had done. (11:7)

Someone once said, "God's wheels grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine."

During this long period of David's cover up and deception, he described his feelings in Psalm32 and 51.

Wiersbe describes David as:

• weak and sick physically;
• lost his joy;
• lost his witness;
• lost his power;
• given time to repent by God before his reprimand and judgment.

So many folks pretend all is right with the world when it is not. Do people think they get away with sin when bad things do not result right away in their life?  Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:7 that we reap what we sow.

LET IT GROW

Well, no one else did any thing about he king's sin but God. In His timing He send Nathan with a very, very difficult message intended to bring David to his knees of repentance. David's life was not filled with delightful nights with his new wife guilt free. His vitality was drained (Ps. 32:3-4).

Swindoll describes David as:

• David was a miserable husband,
• an irritable father,
• a poor leader,
• a songless composer,
• living a lie and he couldn't escape the truth;
• unstable, inferior, and insecure.

God's timing is absolutely incredible. He let the grinding wheels of sin do their full work and then He stepped in. (Swindoll)

Our secret sins are open before God. (McGee)

To be honest, there are times that I think God is so slow in intervening, changing the situation or person, answering my prayers like I think He should.  So by faith I endure, hang in there, continue on as I should. He is still on the throne, in control, a great, loving and merciful God. For reasons known only to Him, He delays it, doing the right thing at the right time. I keep reminding myself that His way is best. Do I hear an amen?

Waiting for a loved one to come to repentance or belief in Jesus' salvation is difficult, I won't deny it. Even trying to make relationships good when the other person is so rebellious-oh the waiting. Take hope, God loves us and always will.

LET IT GO

Daily forgive others and not keep a record.

Daily repent of my sins.

Wait on God's timing.