In the Old Testament, the people did not have the Good News of Jesus Christ – The Good News being that we have a “Forgiving God” who loves us so much that God sent God’s Son Jesus to end death – to provide a WAY for us to have a loving relationship with God!  And, so with that being said, forgiveness wasn’t something that the people of God knew about – It was an “Eye-for-an-Eye.”  In other words, if you were being wronged – or had done something wrong – right there and right then – you were punished.  Even possibly – killed.

And so, it was that way in 2 Samuel 4:4-12.  An innocent man was killed in the middle of the night.  In fact – they came into his home where he was sleeping and beheaded him. When David had heard the news and the young men stood before him, David had them killed – right then!  “He cut off their hands and feet, and hung their bodies beside the pool at Hebron” (v.12). What if we were punished and killed before having the opportunity to repent and acknowledge our wrongdoing?  How long would we stay alive today?

Let us pray…Gracious God, we give thanks and praise for Your Son, Jesus.  We would not make it through the day very long without your love, mercy, and forgiveness. Please Lord – forgive us even when we do not see the very sin before us.  In your name we pray, Amen.