David thought he could have Uriah killed and no one would notice, no one would care. But God cared! God cared about Uriah and God cared about the choices David was making. God loved David enough that He desired to find a way to bring David back to Himself and continue to bless David. God desires the same for us when we fall away from Him.

All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him (2 Samuel 14:14).

These were the words of a woman from Tekoa who had a reputation for great wisdom. Her words came to David at a time when he was angry with his son Absalom for killing his half-brother Amnon, even though he had good reason to administer justice (Amnon had raped Absalom’s sister, Tamar, and then sent her away in shame) – 2 Samuel 13. God had forgiven David for having Uriah killed but David refused to forgive Absalom for killing Amnon.

In response to Tekoa’s words and the request of Joab, David chose to extend grace to Absalom by letting him return to Jerusalem but he continued to ban his son from his presence. Even when Absalom rebelled against David and tried to take the kingdom from him, David’s heart had been changed by the knowledge that God values life. He commanded Joab, “For my sake, deal gently with young Absalom” (18:5). When Absalom was killed in battle, Joab knew this would not be good news for David, even though Absalom had been so disloyal to his father (18:20). At the news of Absalom’s death, David cried, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son.” – (18:33)

The way in which God loves us and values each life changed David and it can change us too. Perhaps we have good reason to stay angry or refuse to forgive someone, but we must remember that we have sinned against God yet he loves us enough to continue to draw us to Him – to want a personal relationship with us. If God is willing to forgive us, will we allow him to do a miracle in our hearts, giving us the strength to forgive others?

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. – Luke 6:37

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. – Ephesians 4:31-32

God does not just sweep life away. When I was a teenager, I asked God to break my heart at what breaks His. I believe in response to that prayer, God called me to the prolife ministry. I believe it breaks the heart of God when the lives of the unborn are devalued. I also read the above scriptures and know in my heart that God loves the mothers who have chosen abortion. He loves them enough to want them to come to repentance so that He can forgive them and restore them.

If you are in need of forgiveness today, know that your Savior loves you. Know that God is not done with you, He does not just sweep your life away. As He loved David, He loves you! As He forgave David, He wants to forgive you. He has not given up on you but continues to devise ways to draw you back to Him. Perhaps today is the day to stop resisting His pull and allow God to change your heart as He changed the heart of David.

If you are in need of forgiving someone else today, know that Almighty God has the power to do a work in your heart – even what seems impossible. Just as God wants to forgive you, He wants you to let go of the hurt and pain forgiving others for all they have done to you. God does not just sweep life away. And neither should we.