Tag: shame

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

David’s most shameful moment

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from 2 Samuel 11 and 12.

Imagine having the account of your most shameful behavior published in the best selling book of all time. Peter’s denial of Jesus is recorded in scripture. Paul’s persecution of Christians is documented. Moses has to explain why he can’t go into the promised land in the Pentetuech. (He hit the rock to get water instead of speaking to it.) Noah gets drunk and naked after the floodwaters recede. Judah sleeps with his daughter-in-law Tamar.

I never like reading about David’s affair with Bathsheba and his attempt to cover it up, ultimately leading to the death of Uriah (2 Samuel 11). Everything is going so well for David, and suddenly, it all falls apart. Not only will his child die, but there will be conflict among his other children.

My heart breaks when I read David’s words, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 11:13). David hasn’t just hurt other people. He has turned against God himself. Any sin affects our relationship with God. David offers no excuses. He simply confesses.

I wonder how the author of 1 Samuel knew of this moment? I doubt that the prophet Nathan said anything. David must have talked about it. Perhaps he told the story when asked why he wrote Psalm 51.

When you think about it, all of our most shameful moments become Jesus most shameful moments. “The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). In exchange, we put on Christ and his best moments, his righteousness.

All the people God uses have issues. They are broken. But it’s about the people God uses. It’s about the God who uses them. It’s about the gracious God who uses you and me.

Posted in Advent devotions

The Cast of Advent – December 11: Joseph

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“When Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly” (Matthew 1:18,19).

Social media has become a place to shame people (and pets!) for their appearance, beliefs or actions. In a twisted way, we feel better about ourselves if we have put someone else to shame.

On the other hand, you’ve got Joseph. As a “just man,” he knew what he had to do when his fiancé Mary is pregnant and he’s not the father. Old Testament law was clear about how to handle unfaithfulness. He was also a compassionate man, for he decided to divorce her quietly, without any publicity or shame. And he was also a man of faith. Most likely Joseph would endure some shame when people noticed Mary was pregnant. But he knew it was worth it, for he believed this child was from the Holy Spirit, and would save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:20,21). 

We may endure shame for our faith, too. There are those who will talk down to you because you believe in God, trust in Jesus, and seek to walk in his ways. We quietly endure that shame, for we know what he comes to do and how he can change lives. 

Thank you, Lord, for Joseph’s obedience, compassion and faith that inspires my walk with you. Amen.