The second half of 2 Samuel 12 records one of the lowest moments in King David’s life. The son who was the product of his sordid affair with Bathsheba falls ill. How does David respond to the child’s illness? In verses 16-17 we read:

David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them.

This went on for six days. Finally on the seventh day the child died. How does David respond to the child’s death?

So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate. (v. 20)

His servants are flabbergasted by the king’s behaviour. They blurt out in exasperation: “What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” (v. 21)

Here is David’s explanation: “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (vs 22-23)

Life resumes as usual for David from that point onwards. He and Bathsheba work on their next co-production in reproduction, who turns out to be Solomon.

As we read this account, we are struck by how quickly David is able to put the pain of the past behind him. Perhaps it would be more accurate to talk about how David is willing to put the pain of the past behind him.

Yes, he had committed adultery. Yes, he had committed murder. Yes, his blatant disregard for the commandments of God produced disastrous consequences. Yes, a poor innocent child lost his life as a result.

Was there room for guilt? Yes. Were there any regrets? Yes. Was it traumatic? Yes.

Yet, David makes a deliberate decision not to dwell on the past, but to move into the future. Therefore he ends his fast and eats to his heart’s content.

He does one more thing as well, which is recorded for us in 2 Samuel 12:12. When the prophet Nathan confronts him about his sin, David confesses without any hesitation: “I have sinned against the Lord.” You will be struck by the poignancy of the prayer he offers to God in this context when you read Psalm 51.

With these two crucial steps, David demonstrates a key requirement for advancing into your destiny.

Get over what’s over as quickly as possible.

Because, you see, when you continue to rehearse and re-hash failures and sins of the past, you actually end up retreating away from your destiny. You get stuck in the past and you cannot move forward.

Unless you get over it, you will be caught under it. That is not a pretty place to be 🙁

My dear DWOD friend, if indeed you find yourself caught up in any kind of pain from the past today, would you also follow David’s example right now so you can be set free?

Confess what you said or did to the Lord. Receive His forgiveness. Refuse to remain in the past.

Get over what’s over and watch God advance you into your destiny.