You Did!

by Macy Johnson

“Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!”

(2 Samuel 12:7 NIV)

 

I was in an accident a short while after receiving my driver’s license. As I calmly drove down Government Street near Seville Square in Pensacola, Florida, suddenly an old, ratty, dilapidated car pulled out from a side street and hit my mother’s car on the front right fender. We both got out of our vehicles and the elderly driver from the offending car ambled over to me and asked, “Who hit your car?” “You did!” I exclaimed.

 

I recall the story of King David and Nathan, the prophet. David wanted something, or more specifically, someone he was not allowed to have. Perhaps he assumed the king was above the law when he took an honored warrior’s precious bride. Nathan told David a story (recorded in 2 Samuel) that infuriated David to the point of wanting to destroy the heartless offender. Nathan then revealed that King David, in fact, was the egregious sinner. This realization brought David to his knees and his heart to true repentance.  

 

Sometimes God sends people to rebuke us in our sinful ways. I recall a time when I was the administrator of a Birmingham church. The preschool director gently pulled me aside and warned me to get back on the straight and narrow path. She got my attention! I will always thank God for her reproach and my turnaround.

 

How many times have I slipped off the path and been reminded to get back on track, get with the program? My mother would often warn me, “Your sins will find you out!” How many times have I foolishly pointed a finger at fellow offenders?

 

I will pay serious attention to anyone God sends to steer me in the right direction. I hope you will, too!