Faith Capsule: Repentance will bring forth redemption.

Isaiah 38

King David saw and sent for Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife. The bible recorded, “…and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house.  And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, “I am with child.” (2 Samuel 11:4-5) David did wrong and attempted a cover up by sending Uriah to a point of death. It was a wicked act from a man that was identified by God as a man after His own heart. (1 Samuel 13:14) God never overlook sin regardless of man’s status or man’s past good act before God. With God, sin is sin and there is no minor or major sin. The only way to come out clean of sin before God is to turn away (repent) from sin.
David sinned against God by setting up Uriah for untimely death after lying with Uriah’s wife (Bathsheba) and having her conceived. God did not ignore David’s act of sin but sent Prophet Nathan to rebuke King David for his act. The prophet approached David and he did not hesitate or contend but he turned (repented) at the rebuke stating, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. (2 Samuel 12:13) Repentance will bring forth redemption.
David’s turning (repentance) at the rebuke of the messenger of God made it impossible for God to withdraw His spirit on David and His word could not be cut off from David. This confirmed the efficacy of God’s word in Proverbs 1:23, “Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.” Whenever man responds to rebuke by turning like David did, God will honor His word. Turning (repentance) will surely open man to the spirit of God. One that is open to the spirit of God will know the word of God (not just knowing about) Indeed, from the time of David’s turning; he was never short of word from God. What is stopping you from turning at His rebuke?
Hezekiah was sick and set to die when word came to rebuke him through Prophet Isaiah stating, “…thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’” (Isaiah 38:1) The bible recorded Hezekiah’s response, “Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord.” (Isaiah 1:2) Hezekiah turned at God’s rebuke through Isaiah; God’s spirit came to him and God’s word made life known to him in the place of death.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace not to ignore God’s rebuke when it sounds in your direction.