David's Forgiveness

Read 2 Samuel 19-20
 
2 Samuel 19:19 “My lord the king, please forgive me,” he pleaded. “Forget the terrible thing your servant did when you left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind.”
 
DAVID is victorious. He has the power to condemn his enemies. But he forgives. A memorable passage in this account is David’s forgiving heart: 2 Samuel 19:22b “This is not a day for execution but for celebration! Today I am once again the king of Israel!”
   The man of God summarizes God’s merciful relationship with Man. David begins to display the character of God. God’s will is to put aside “execution” – judgment – so he will be your King in peace and forgiveness.
   In Adam’s rebellion, we are born God’s enemies. We are spiritually at war with the LORD of Heaven’s armies as we dwell in opposition to his commands. Israel rebelled against God in the desert wanderings and later in the Promised Land. The Commander of the LORD’s armies could have easily ended all rebellion with one word to his legions. Deuteronomy 6:15 for the Lord your God, who lives among you, is a jealous God. His anger will flare up against you, and he will wipe you from the face of the earth. 
   But God is merciful. The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.” (Exodus 33:19) After centuries of his mercy to fulfill his covenants, God made the way to end the rebellion of our hearts with his Peacemaker, Jesus Christ. Graciously, our Father in Heaven did not send a Warrior to destroy but his Son to save. Now the Father accepts Jesus’ blood as the way to our peace with him. See God’s mercy: Romans 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
   Savor God’s salvation: Romans 5:10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.
   The Everlasting God offers to you his everlasting peace: Romans 10:8-9 In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.   
   Human history is the story of rebellion and death. God’s kingdom history is the story of God’s merciful peace to give life to all who receive Jesus as the Peacemaker of their souls. Welcome him into your life. In the power of the Holy Spirit, you can be a child of the Prince of Peace.