Skip to main content

Everyone needs a Nathan



            The Bible does not say much about the prophet Nathan, but I know one thing:  I want a friend like him!

            After King David’s affair with Bathsheba (if you are not familiar with this story, you can read about it in 2 Samuel 11), Nathan is given the job of confronting the king.  Now, this is a scary thing because, if he makes the king mad (and telling him that he is wrong is a good way to do that) it could cost him his life.  Not only does Nathan go, but he is able to present the truth in such a way that David not only admits his sin, but commits to changing his ways.

            Everyone needs a “Nathan”!  

            The truth is that it is easy for me to rationalize my behaviour and to make excuses for myself.  I can be absolutely wrong and completely unable to see it all at the same time.   Everyone needs someone who can speak truth into their life.  Sometimes we need an outside voice, because our inner voice will defend anything we choose to do, regardless of whether it is right or wrong. 

            That is one of the valuable things about Christian friendships and Christian fellowship (such as in the church).   A good friend who shares the same values and the same outlook can help you maintain those values and that outlook.  Proverbs 27:6 says, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted”.  In other words, a real and valuable friend is one who will step in and say the things that you need to hear when you need to hear them.  If I never hear an outside voice, or if I surround myself only with people who say what I want to hear, I am in big trouble.

            Everyone needs a “Nathan”!

            One last thought:  Please find your Nathan early.  Too often, people wait too long before discussing their problems.  By the time they do, the issue has been hidden for so long and has become so large that, when it finally does explode, it is virtually impossible to put the pieces back together.  The time to ask for help, the time to get a perspective on your life, is now.  Do not put it off, or it may be too late.

            We live in a very individualistic time that, for the most part, says. “Handle your own problems”, but everyone needs a sounding board.  Everyone needs a good friend who can “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).

            Everyone needs a “Nathan”!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Art of Noticing.... Seeing what we need to see and what we miss when we don't

 What we focus on in life matters. Here are some scriptural reminders that will help us see correctly.  https://youtu.be/Rn76tV0ZH8s    
Post a Comment
Read more

Consider This.... Which Way Are You Leaning?

   When Ben Patterson agreed to join three friends climbing Mount Lyell, the highest point in Yosemite National Park, he did not realize what he was signing up for.  Early in the day, it became clear that he was completely unprepared for the task.  In an effort to keep up with his more experienced friends, Ben took a shortcut.  It did not occur to him that there might be a reason the others had not selected this route, but he soon found out why.  Ben became stuck on the glacier.  He could not move up, down or sideways and one wrong move would send him sliding down a forty-five-degree slope to the valley floor miles below.   That is when one of his friends came to the rescue. His buddy leaned over the edge and carved some footholds in the ice.  He told Ben to step to the first foothold and immediately swing his other foot to the second, then his buddy would pull him to safety.  Lastly, his friend gave him one more piece of advice....
Post a Comment
Read more

Consider This: The Biggest Problem Is Not Out There!

In a time when everyone has a vocal opinion on everything and judgment is everywhere, maybe we need to reconsider the words of Jesus. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:3-5).  Here are two observations to consider. First, when we look for what others are doing wrong, we are starting in the wrong place.  “Take the log out of your eye” is the first move.  Start with yourself!  It is easy to judge others and make excuses for ourselves.  Yet, that is completely backwards! If we are honest, we never get past making ourselves better.  There is always more to do.  This, then, leaves very little time to point out...
Post a Comment
Read more