“I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him.” 2 Samuel 7:14-15
The great work for which David laid the foundation would continue. It was given to his son, Solomon, who at the time God gave this promise was not even born. But what if Solomon messes up?
The time will come when David is no longer able to bring a father’s influence and guidance to his son. God says, “David, when you are gone, I will be a Father to your son. You can trust your son into the hand of God. And David, with regard to your son messing up, let me be plain—the question is not if, it’s when! David, you will mess up, and so will your son.”
But here is God’s promise to all of his children: “When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him… but my steadfast love will not depart from him” (7:14, 15).
God will do whatever it takes to bring his rebellious children back. The Good Shepherd never gives up on one of his own sheep. If you are his, God will exercise whatever discipline is needed to bring you back. So don’t make this harder on yourself than it needs to be. If you belong to the Lord and are away from him, come back now!
God will do whatever it takes to bring you back, but he will never stop loving you! This is an amazing covenant. Death cannot end it. Sin cannot break it.
Can you think of a time when God’s loving discipline brought you back to him?