God not only uses His word to speak to us but he also uses other people – those of you who are married know exactly what I mean!  There are numerous instances in Scripture of God using other people to speak to His people and a classic example is the interchange between David and Nathan.  David had committed an egregious sin by committing adultery with Bathsheba and then having her husband Uriah killed.  David thought he had concealed his sin but God knew and David was miserable. 

David desperately needed to hear from God but he was unable to hear the truth that could set him free.  It’s been said “The Bible will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the Bible.”  David needed God’s perspective but he felt separated from God and could not hear God’s life giving truth.

God sent Nathan to break through to David’s calloused heart.  This was a high risk venture for Nathan, he could lose his life with the message he was bringing – how could he reach the king’s heart without losing his head?  Nathan told a story about a man who was robbed of his only little ewe lamb.  David, having a shepherd’s heart, was eagerly following the story and was incensed and showed his rage that this injustice should occur.

Nathan then said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel, It is I who anointed you king over Israel and it is I who delivered you from the hand of Saul” (2 Samuel 12:7).

David instantly realized His sin – God used Nathan to bring the truth to David. 

The penitential psalms (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143) describe the anguish of one experiencing the deleterious effects of sin.  Read Psalm 51 to see the guilt David experienced because of His sin and then read Psalm 32 to hear the joy of being set free of the effects of sin,  “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!  How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit! (Psalm 32:1-2).

The truth is we need other people to help us see God’s truth because we have blind spots.  Bernard of Clairvaux said, “He who makes himself his own teacher becomes the pupil of a fool.”  Years ago I attended coaches training for Leadership Catalyst and I can still remember Bill Thrall saying, “Character is formed in community but it is tested in isolation.”  We need godly Nathans in our lives who have God’s perspective and the courage to speak truth into our lives.  Who is a Nathan in your life?