Natural Consequences . . . Or

Or Supernatural punishment? I think there’s a bit of both in the aftermath of David’s sinning situation surrounding the Bathsheba incident. If we look back for a moment at 2 Samuel 12:9-13, we see God’s pronouncement of judgment and His pronouncement of forgiveness.

Starting in verse 10 (in the CJB) the punishment/consequences of the sins and the forgiveness are told to David by God, through Nathan the prophet:

“Now therefore, the sword will never leave your house – because you have shown contempt for me and taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite as your own wife. Here is what ADONAI says, ‘I will generate evil against you out of your own household. I will take your wives before your very eyes and give them to your neighbor; he will go to bed with your wives, and everyone will know about it. For you did it secretly, but I will do this before all Israel in broad daylight.’ David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against ADONAI.’ Nathan said to David, ‘ADONAI also has taken away your sin. You will not die.’”

There’s the playing out of earthly judgment (you might say natural consequences) and the proclamation of a spiritual redemption – “You will not die.” Of course God did not mean David would never physically die – a spiritual death is being addressed here. But, ahh, the consequences would come.

In 2 Samuel 13, we see the beginnings of this judgment being played out in David’s household. First David’s first-in-line son for king, Amnon, connives so that he can rape his half sister, Tamar. Tamar happens to be Absalom’s full sister (additional children of David). There’s several background issues going on in these events, but one is that Absalom is angered and he plots to murder Amnon when Amnon would not expect it. The deed is carried out two years later, and David is down one more son – by the sword, as God indicated would happen.

As 2 Samuel continues there will be further accounts of God’s judgment being unleashed in the physical realm regarding David’s household. The killing by the sword is not over.

I know I like to pretend that once God forgives my sins, everything will work out hunky-dory. Yet, in this example, we see the consequences of sin, as designated by God, being carried out in the lives of people. This challenges me to not be cavalier about my salvation. That is a spiritual event. My actions (i.e. sins) in this life may have natural consequences in agreement with God’s ordained patterns set down throughout time and throughout the Scriptures.

I’m not sure in my thinking about whether all natural consequences for my sinful behavior are direct punishment from God or not. I just need to remember that in God’s economy, sin will have punishments or consequences, even as He forgives me and guarantees my salvation on an eternal spiritual basis.

Belief vs. Trust

In 2 Samuel 11 and 12 we again see the contrast between King Saul and King David. God left Saul in that when Saul decided not to turn to God, “God left him” (1 Samuel 16:14). However, with David, even when he committed grave sins, God did not leave him. What was different about these two men?

It wasn’t that David believed in God and Saul didn’t. They both acknowledged God’s existence. They both seemed to have a healthy understanding of God’s nature, character, and sovereignty. They both believed in God. Yet we have Scripture telling us that God left Saul. We need to remember that the Holy Spirit wasn’t available to Old Testament people. So in 1 Samuel 16 where it says that God’s spirit left him, it wasn’t talking about the Holy Spirit leaving Saul’s internal being. It means that God pulled back his blessings and support for Saul’s endeavors.

The next question is why did God not pull back from David after he sinned? It’s simply a difference in trusting versus believing. David repented and placed his trust in God for his redemption. Saul tried to bargain with God and perform sacrifices without a contrite heart. So, even though David committed adultery and murder, right standing with God was returned to him. (You can read David’s confession to God for these sins in Psalm 51).

So is “belief” enough to gain salvation? We need to be careful what we mean by “belief.” “Belief is the level of relationship between God and His created beings that even the demons possess. Belief is merely acknowledgment of God’s existence . . . but belief does not include appropriate worship of Him or response to Him” (Bradford). So what are the missing ingredients? Trust and a complete reliance on God in every aspect of our lives. “Trust is when we allow belief to turn to God-centered inner transformation of our hearts . . . that then produces obedience” (Bradford).

I think I know some people who believe in God, but have not fully allowed God to transform their lives. Are they “believers” then? I’m not pretending to know what is in the heart of every man. I don’t know the extent of their relationship with God. I think this is a question each individual has to ask of themselves. I think it’s an urgent question. Believing is not enough. Fully worship and trust in the Almighty God is the way to salvation.