Thursday of the Eleventh Week After Trinity

August 20, 2026Today's Reading: Catechism: What sins should we confess?Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 12:1-25; 2 Samuel 13:1-19:43; 1 Corinthians 12:1-13“Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!’” (2 Samuel 12:7a)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Put yourself in Nathan’s shoes. How’d you like it if God sent you to confront the most powerful man in the nation to call him out for a sin –a man who was a warrior who killed thousands of his enemies and had recently been involved in a murder? Nathan had tremendous courage, but also wisdom from on high.Nathan’s approach to David offers a master class in how to rebuke sinners. He tells David a story about a rich man and a poor man and gets David angry to the point he exclaims that the rich man is guilty and deserves to die for stealing the poor man’s beloved little lamb. Nathan has him right where he wants him, then he springs the trap: “You are the man!” and he unloads on David for his great sins.Nathan not only reveals all the evil David tried to cover up, he also begins to pronounce the punishment that God told him would ensue. Because he used the Ammonites to kill Uriah, they would never cease attacking him. The Lord would also raise up discord in David’s own house, and his wives would cheat on him, and it would be widely known.As far as we know, this is the first time anyone tried to confront David for his sin. What would David do? Would he respond in rage and lash out at Nathan? David is an exceptional man in that, even though he had been deluded and engaged in so much evil, he also can now clearly see his sin and is ready to be done with it. Many people will double down and deny and retaliate when confronted, but to his credit, David humbles himself and confesses. And Nathan responds right away: “The Lord has put away your sin; you shall not die.”God sent Nathan to David, not to put him down, but to save him. David was stuck in sin and living in unrepentance. That is the way that leads to death and damnation. God used Nathan to humble David and lead him to confess. Confession and humility is the way that leads to life. “But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”Sinners who turn from their sins and seek help from God will receive forgiveness, and because of Jesus, we will live even though we die. But take note: forgiveness and eternal salvation does not mean we suffer no consequences for our actions in this life. God punished David severely for his actions. We, too, must face the consequences of our sins in this life, but Christ promises a day when we will be free from even this, when we will be like the angels in their innocence, and He will wipe every tear from our eyes.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.God, be merciful to me, a sinner. Amen.Rev. Joel Shaltanis, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Plano, TX.