When God breaks our bones

Psalm 51:7-8

King James Version

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 

While studying for today's service, I saw this passage in an entirely new light. 

I know the history of this, according to my Bible margin notes, this was a Psalm written in response to the David and Bathsheeba adultery incident. God sent the prophet Nathan to point his long, bony finger at King David's nose and declare, "THOU ART THE MAN." 

At this point, David has a choice. Does he react as most kings did and have Nathan killed for DARING to embarrass the king in front of his royal entourage? Does he react like his predecessor, King Saul, and begin to give a litany of excuses meant to exonerate himself of guilt without the required repentance?  Or does he respond in genuine repentance of heart and humbly bow to the holy God of the universe?

According to this Psalm, David made the right choice. He responded in genuine repentance. He threw himself on the great mercy of his loving God- trusting him to bring the heavenly ruling that only the creator can bring. 

But, the key to his whole response, I believe, is found in verse 8: "that the bones WHICH THOU HAST BROKEN may rejoice."

David had been a shepherd. He understood that sheep wonder sometimes. Sheep go astray sometimes. Hence, the biblical passage, "All we like sheep have gone astray."(Isaiah 53:6)

Sometimes, when a sheep (usually a lamb) habitually strays away from the shepherd's chosen pasture, the shepherd has to take drastic action. The shepherd had 2 different staffs: One with a hook and one with a hard, round end. The one with the hook is used to hook the sheep around the neck and pull the wayward sheep back in the direction the shepherd wishes it to go. The one with the ball is used when the hook has been tried several times and the sheep refuses to be redirected. The shepherd will crack the ball on the hard-headed sheep's head to try and get its attention and redirect it. It's a form of punishment. 

If, however, it continues to try and stray into dangerous territory, then the shepherd will break one of its legs and reset it. Yes, this causes the sheep pain. But, no it's not done because the shepherd is mean or hateful. It's done out of love. Because the shepherd knows that if the sheep is allowed to continue to stray, it will eventually be harmed much worse than a broken leg. There are poisonous snakes that can bite and kill them. There are bears, wolves, and lions that will kill and eat them. There are treacherous cliffs that the sheep can fall off. 

So, to teach the sheep to stay close to him, the shepherd breaks its leg. This does create more work and hardship for the shepherd. For the next few weeks, while the leg is healing from the break, the shepherd must carry the sheep around with him as he moves the herd from pasture to pasture. He must still tend to the rest of the flock, but this one he must carry. He carries it to the new pasture and makes it lay in the green grass to eat, so it can eat. He carries it to the still waters so it can drink. 

But, an amazing thing happens. Over time, the sheep becomes accustomed to three things: a) being close to the shepherd, b) hearing the heartbeat of the shepherd, and c) hearing the voice of the shepherd. While it's healing, the sheep falls in love with the shepherd in a new and deeper way. Long forgotten is the temptation to wonder. Long forgotten is the fact that it was the shepherd who broke its leg. All the sheep knows now is that it wants to be close to its master and hear his voice and heartbeat.

Finally, when the sheep is healed, the shepherd allows it to walk with the herd. But, the sheep no longer wishes to wander or stray.  (I learned much of this shepherd information from a sermon by Lee Stoneking over 30 years ago)

David had had to do this to his own sheep. So, when God came and broke his spiritual leg, David didn't respond with excuses. David didn't respond with rebellion. David accepted the loving chastening of his shepherd and responded in repentance. 

Was it pleasant to be corrected? No. Did he enjoy being publicly humiliated- especially in front of his own court? No. But scripture tells us, "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Hebrews 12:11)

But God had called David "a man after (God's) own heart." Why? Because David had spent most of his life in hot pursuit of a loving, intimate relationship with his creator. 

So, when David's shepherd broke David's spiritual leg, David was able to immediately respond in true repentance. 

His response resulted in several good things. 

1) Unlike Saul, whose anointing and throne were ripped away from he and his family, David's throne and bloodline were left secure.

2) The penalty for adultery under the law for both parties was stoning- even for a king and a new queen. But, this penalty was never exacted by his loving God because of David's repentance. 

3) David's right standing and relationship with God were restored. 

When we go astray, and God must chastise us (spank us or break our leg), it's not because he's mean. It's not because he is trying to show how in charge or how big and bad he is. It is, quite simply, because God loves us and desires that we are right with him and have the opportunity to make heaven. 

But, in order to do that, we must submit our wills to him and follow his leading. We cannot insist on having our own way and still expect to make heaven. It has never and will never work that way. 

If we do not enjoy being chastised by God, then we need to make up our minds to obey and follow his word and voice. Because if we stray, he will whoop us. He will break our leg if need be, in order to try and lead us from pasture to pasture and eventually to heaven. 

Why don't you pray with me:

"Lord, I love you. I don't enjoy being chastised. So please help me to hear your voice. Illuminate your word to me. Guide me and direct me so I can grow closer and closer to you and avoid causing you to have to whoop me. But, if I do stray, I accept your loving correction- no matter how harsh it may seem to be. I know you have only my best in mind. In Jesus' name!"