#4 God Loves You
One of the great mysteries of David lies in his name. Not his literal name, David, but in the name he’s given by God later on. (“A man after my own heart”) How does a man, that’s known for one of the greatest mishaps of all time, (maybe only second to the original fall of man), be called that? Well, I believe that David knew and believed something about God that we, as a people, have heard but don’t completely believe. It’s the fact that God loved him.
After committing his sin, he calls out to God in anguish and repentance, hoping for a second chance. It’s this calling out that intrigues me. See, sin draws us away from God by the act of rebellion. Its nature is meant to move us away from Him. But, that’s not at all what God wants. In everything, He wants us to draw nearer to Him in His love. David knew this, and drew closer to God, even in the middle of a mess. Now, this isn’t a get of jail free card for sin city, but it definitely says something about how David felt about God. I know, personally, that sin in my life makes me not want to go to God at all. (Read the word, pray, etc………) When Adam and Eve sinned, they both ran and tried to hide from God. I can imagine, as well, that that experience rings true for many people. The moment we return to an old, sinful habit we broke, some of us begin to hide from God. Some people don’t go back to church because it brings a wave of shame to go to a place that’s almost meant for the “holy” to go. How can God love one who has turned from Him so easily and often?........
The irony is that he wants us to have a relationship, even in the midst of our sin! We aren’t meant to turn from him, but rather to turn to Him in repentance. More than that, He wants us to get to the place where we love Him. What does that mean? Well, the Bible says that “he who loves the Lord will keep his commands.” But, let’s break that down just a little bit. “Don’t do these things because they go against God’s word.” While that’s true, there’s a desire from God for us to have a reciprocating relationship with him that’s not tied down to just the rules of the law. (We know this because throughout the Bible we see many situations in which Jesus has close relationships with people who broke the law or betrayed Him.) Think about this. If I needed $20 one day to do something, I could easily take it out my mother’s purse and use it. I wouldn’t have to tell her anything and I might actually get away with it. But, I would never do that. Why? Because I love her, and it hurts me to do things that hurt her.
That’s the kind of relationship that God wants us to have with him. He wants us to read his Word, not out of duty but out of desire to converse with Him. He wants us to pray, not out of duty but out of desire to converse with Him. He wants us to go to church, not out of duty but because He wants us to grow alongside other believers. When you believe that someone loves you, they become a shelter to you in the middle of the storm. If you mess up, you don’t fear them. The consequences are scary, but you’re confident in the fact that they would never do anything to harm you. I sense that David had this kind of understanding of God’s love. He understood that even in the middle of sin, and even though his attempt to hide it was called out, he could still go to God in prayer and ask for mercy. Do you know that God wants you to call out to Him for help? Jesus came, not for the whole, but for those who were broken; those who needed help. It’s the weakness in us that draws us to sin, but it’s the love of God that should draw us to Him. He wants you...all of you…..regardless of what you’ve done. God loves you.
