"David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David
fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. David
perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his
servants, "Is the child dead?" And they said, "He is dead." So
David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and
changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and
worshiped". 2 Samuel 12:18
Life doesn't stop just because we've been hurt, lost something or
dealing with a difficult situation. It doesn't slow down because
we are tired or need help - it keeps on moving. Before you know
it, something else is coming your way and if you don't get moving
- it too will run you over. Therefore, we must learn how to
properly respond too and effectively deal with the varying
transitions and seasons in our lives.
David had a son born out of an adulterous relationship with
Bathsheba. Because of David's sin, God declared that the child
would die. During this turbulent time, David refused any comforts
offered him and laid prostrate before the Lord in heaviness.
However, the day came when he realized his worst fear- his son
died. David's response to this news shocked those around him
but demonstrates a principle that we too must apply when dealing
with hardship in our lives.
The Bible says that upon receiving the news that his son was dead,
David: (1) Got up, (2) washed and anointed himself, (3) changed
his clothes, and (4) went to church and worshipped. Many of you
may be saying, "Wait a minute!" "His son just died!?" Yes, this
is true. But David realized that there was nothing he could do
about it. So David got up and started to deal with the things
that were still within his control. David decided to live the
rest of his life. It was his son that died, not him.
David told me to tell you that the first thing you need to do is
to "get up". Don't become stuck at the place of your loss. I call
these places "grave sites". Grave sites are places you visit to
remember a loss. They were never intended to be the residence
for the living. Grave sites are places you stop by - but not
stay. Secondly, you must wash and anoint yourself. David knew
that whatever it was that he did, it did not determine who he was.
He was God's anointed. You may have made some mistakes in your
life, but they do not define "who" you are. You must learn to
wash your past off and walk in the anointing that God has declared
over your life. Thirdly, change your clothes. You should not
look like where you came from but where you are headed. These
clothes may be old associations, habits or thoughts that are
remnants of your past. Take them off and put on that which
communicates your future, not your past! Last but not least,
worship God! The reason we become stuck in weeping is because
we neglect to worship. In loss or gain, sickness or health, ups
or downs - God is still worthy of your worship. When we
understand, that regardless of our situation, God is still God,
we allow Him to do what only God can do in our lives.
Maybe there is something in your life that you wish you could
change but can't. You've been trying to make amends for something
that you can do nothing about. The Bible says that after David's
son died that He worshiped, took Bathsheba as his wife, and God
replaced what He had taken - another son named Solomon.
Restoration will not happen until you decide to "get up and wash
your face!"
By Dr. J.C. Matthews, Senior Pastor of Dunamis Life Ministries and Chancellor of The International Kingdom Institute.
