The child died … and David worshipped the Lord

“And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshiped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.” – 2 Samuel 12v18-20

David was devastated by his sin. God had already told him that part of the consequences of his sin would be that the child of their sin would die. When Bathsheba’s child was born God struck him and he became ill.

David fasted and prayed for the child. He asked God to show mercy and let the child live. When the child was seven days old he died. The servants were afraid to tell David because they did not know how he would take the news.

When David found out, he got up, washed and anointed himself, and went to worship the Lord. David’s prayers were not answered the way he hoped they would be. The child was not healed. Instead he died. David however did not let that affect His view of God. God is always due our worship no matter what He does or how we perceive His actions.

How do we respond when God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we see fit? God always does the right thing and is ALWAYS worthy of our worship.