It’s tempting to hold a grudge when someone does me wrong. But grudges metastasize into resentments that rot the soul. Bitter old people abound, most of whom hold onto wrongs they experienced long ago.

The Lord, on the other hand, never seems to hold a grudge. He disciplines and corrects, guiding his followers when we go astray. On top of that he grants fresh starts.

David took Bathsheba from her bath, got her pregnant and then ordered her husband killed. The child born from this corrupt liaison died, because David utterly scorned the Lord. God put the death squarely on David. But after all the scandal and pain, God did something unexpected—he blessed their next child.

Then David comforted his wife, Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her, and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. And the Lord loved him and sent a message by Nathan the prophet. So he called his name Jedidiah (Jedidiah means beloved of the Lord).

David paid for the hookup with Bathsheba for years. Others in his orbit suffered as well. But the second child got a fresh start. Solomon couldn’t help how his parents got together. Despite the father’s wrongdoings, God granted a fresh start to the next generation.

All of us inherit issues from our parents, grandparents and family, and each of us will pass issues on to our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. No family is immune to handicaps of one form or another. But the Lord pours out his grace again and again, granting reprieves and fresh starts, for generation after generation of those who seek him.

2 Samuel 12

Photo by Jon Tyson