Making It Right
Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 9
David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
David was in a good place when he asked whether anyone was left of the house of Saul. After many years of struggle he had been confirmed as king over Israel. David had secured Jerusalem as his city and had brought the ark of the covenant into it. The Lord had given David rest from his enemies and peace to Israel. Even more, God had promised that a son of David would rule forever, a promise that would be fulfilled in the birth of Jesus.
But David had some unfulfilled obligations. Long before, David had made a covenant with his friend Jonathan, Saul’s son. Though anyone else might have forgotten, David did not. David set out to find someone from the house of Saul to whom he could show kindness.
We accumulate obligations as we go through life. We make promises that we don’t fully keep in spite of our best intentions. We also accumulate hurts that we have never really forgiven. Worse yet, we often cause hurts for which we do not fully apologize. Over the years our debts pile up.
The end of a year is a good time to consider what we have left undone, and our celebration of Christmas has assured us that God has given us peace. In this peace we can make peace.
Are there any obligations you need to attend to?
Loving God, your faithfulness endures forever. Help us to be faithful, keeping the promises we make and forgiving others as we have been forgiven. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — Norman Visser
Norman Visser has served as a pastor of churches in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and South Dakota. He states that while he is “not known for waiting patiently,” he is “working on it.” Norman and his wife, Marcia, have three children.
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