May 6 - You Are the Man

 Read today’s texts first: 2 Samuel 11,12; Psalms 51; Matthew 23

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
Those who really care about us
will risk offence to make us better. 

“You are the man!” - everyone wants to hear those words (well, maybe not women). It’s even better in street slang – “You da man!” If you’re wondering where that phrase originated, it predates all the movies, posters, and rap songs that have recently urbanized it. King David heard it over 3.000 years ago from his bro Nathan. But he didn’t hear it as affirmation; it was actually an accusation.

That’s not the version we want to hear, but sometimes it’s what we need to hear. Faithful are the wounds of a friend (Prov. 27:6a). Insecure people tend to surround themselves with Chesters (check out the dogs, Chester and Spike, of Looney Tunes on youtube). Friends who constantly flatter us are usually looking out for themselves. They’re working us! They speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage (Jude 1:16b). Solomon wisely said, in the end, serious reprimand is appreciated far more than bootlicking flattery (Prov. 28:23 MSG).

Those who really care about us will risk offence to make us better (Jesus confronting the religious rulers is a prime example - Matt. 23). David was a godly man who had lost his way. It’s likely he was burned out by the demands of leading a nation. That might be the reason he stayed home instead of leading his army like he usually did (11:1). Clearly his behaviour - lustful thoughts, adultery, deception, murder - was a drastic departure from his well-earned reputation of integrity. Nathan knew the real David, having served him for almost a decade, and he cared enough to intervene.

Notice that “the Lord sent Nathan” (12:1). Notice also the prayerful and thoughtful way he confronted David. By telling the story of the rich man who stole a poor man’s sheep, he helped David see for himself the sin behind his actions. When David repented, his friend reassured him, “the Lord has taken away your sin” (12:12). David’s beautiful prayer of repentance has become a model for us to follow when we blow it. We can’t hide, we can’t deflect blame, or make excuses. We simply need to admit our sin and ask God for mercy. Restoring our relationship with God is more important than anything else at that moment.

David’s prayer is mine today, because sometimes, I am that man: Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you (Psa. 51:10-12).