152 Cardio: A Contrite Heart, Pt. 2

Author Philip Yancey refers to pain as the gift that no one wants. Yet it’s pain that lets you know something is wrong, not only on the physical level but at the soul level.

That was true of David following his affair with Bathsheba and the cold-blooded murder of her husband. For a year David’s guilt caused deep anguish in his heart and mind that spilled over to his body. Pain, sickness, and sleeplessness plagued him.

David’s heart was in turmoil. He knew what he’d done was wrong, yet he refused to come clean – to confess.

It took a special friend to open David’s eyes to the truth.

In 2 Samuel 12, we read that the Lord sent a man named Nathan to David, and he told the king a story. How a rich man, owner of flocks of sheep, carelessly, needlessly, and selfishly took for himself the only, beloved lamb of a poor man. King David was outraged by the story of injustice. This man must pay!

Then Nathan looked at David and said, “You are the man.” (v. 7)

David was broken. “I have sinned against the Lord.” (vs. 13)

It took a special person to open David’s eyes. This is why we need each other. Yes, we need the encouragement and motivation of community, but we also need each other because sometimes we’re “the man” and we need someone to speak truth to us.

How do you play the part of Nathan? Here are a few keys:


1.     The timing was right.

Proverbs 15:23 says, “…how good is a timely word.” 

Before you go to a person who’s walking in disobedience or compromise, you need to ask the Lord, “Is this the right time to go?”


2.     The person was appropriate.

Nathan was a man who had David’s respect. He’d earned it over the years they’d spent as partners in ministry and brothers in service. But more than this, there was friendship between them.

Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.”

I’ve come to see that an individual’s capacity to receive truth is directly proportionate to the depth of relationship they have with the truth-teller.           


3.     The words were wise.

Proverbs 12:18 says, “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

I have found that I am more apt to accept correction when the person comes to me humbly and curious. “Help me to understand…” “Maybe I don’t have the whole picture, but here is what I see…” “I have a concern for you. May I share it?”


4.     The truth was spoken.

Proverbs 27:5 says, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love.”

Ignoring the truth isn’t love. But the truth…the whole truth… spoken in love can bring healing. 

Text: Psalm 32; 2 Samuel 12

Originally recorded on June 25, 2006, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN.