From a young age, David loved the Lord. It is evidenced in the songs he wrote, like this: "I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer, my God, my Rock, in whom I take refuge." - Psalm 18:1–2

David is a biblical hero. His victory’s never gets old, and his psalms give my heart a voice. Yet, David messed up when he slept with Bathsheba the wife of Uriah whom he then proceeded to murder. As a result, David’s household experienced some intense consequences - not because David didn’t repent but because the fallout of sin is real. Our choices have consequences.  And David watched it all happen. David’s son Amnon raped his daughter Tamar. Tamar lived the rest of her days as a “desolate woman in her brother Absalom’s house.”

Two years later, David’s son Absalom murders Amnon and David is left weeping again. Absalom then conspires against David for the throne. The list goes on…  Even after God fully forgave and restored David, the effects of David’s sin divided the kingdom and destroyed relationships. It was a mess. Listen, God’s forgiveness is always complete. But because we experience God’s grace doesn’t mean we won’t experience the aftermath of our sinful choices or of others’ wrong decisions.  Perhaps you can relate to David, or maybe you, like Tamar, feel hopeless. "Tamar put ashes on her head, tore her long robe, and ran away weeping." - 2 Samuel 13:19

You know what I think? (No Tom what) I think God was heartbroken, too. I think Jesus longed to go to Tamar and wrap His arms around her. How do I know? Fast forward a thousand years. Jesus is beginning His ministry – He’s back in Nazareth, at the synagogue, and out of all the Scriptures Jesus could have read before the people, He chose Isaiah 61.

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me… to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives…" -Isaiah 61:1–2

The brokenhearted, renewed, the ruined rebuilt, the devastated repaired. I think Jesus couldn’t wait to proclaim those words. "Tamar, my daughter, I’m coming. Israel, my people, I’m here. Oh Church, my beloved, I came."  And that, is the power of the gospel for all who believe!

It doesn’t matter how sordid your past. Jesus says, “I can take care of that. Come to me and let me replace your mourning with gladness.” At the cross, Jesus took care of both the wrong we’ve done and the wrong done to us. Nothing gets past the cross.  

Beloved of God, Jesus came so He could take care of that, whatever that might be for you.