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While traveling, David was confronted with a reminder of his past. A member of Saul’s family was casting both words and stones in an attempt to wound David. David had taken on King Saul’s throne and saw the demise of nearly Saul’s entire family, including his beloved friend Johnathon. While David was a “man after God’s own heart,” he was not a perfect man (1 Samuel 13:14). Did he deserve Absalom’s deception? Perhaps not, but others could easily see that as God’s judgment on him.

As an imperfect follower of Christ, I, too, have past sins that others can and have brought forward as reminders of my brokenness. It can be painful to face the scars of my sin left on myself and others, but I take heart in David’s trust of God’s redemptive path. “It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today” (2 Samuel 16:12). We know that through Jesus, God did indeed look upon our sin and delight to enact His plan of redemption in our lives.

When I feel ashamed of my past or am confronted with an unwanted reminder of my mistakes, I remember that God’s grace is sufficient for me. Not only is His grace sufficient, but like David, I can extend grace to others because of God’s grace! With God’s help, our scars from sin can become reminders of redemption rather than symbols of shame.

Exhortation: When you feel weighed down by reminders of past sin, remember God’s character of redemption in your life!

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