Then the king said to Zadok, “Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again. But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.” 2 Samuel 15:25-26
David desired to return to Jerusalem so he could be near the ark of God where he experienced the presence of God. Yet, he didn’t pray for rescue or reinstatement to the kingship. David knew he’d done the wrong thing. He had committed adultery and murder and been a bad witness to his son, Absalom, who now sought to take over the kingdom. So David committed himself to God and “whatever seems good to him.”
From his previous experiences, David knew that God wasn’t only powerful but gracious. Elsewhere when David was faced with a choice of punishments he had said, “… Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands” (2 Samuel 24:14).
In David’s current predicament God could restore or banish him. David realised this and chose to trust God’s judgement. Not pleading, not insisting, not reminding God of his promises, but accepting whatever consequence God ordained. This attitude required faith in God’s character. It required an understanding that God is just but merciful. He is powerful but recognises human frailty, he is faithful to his promises but disciplines those who go astray.
Instead of praying to be rescued David committed the outcome to God. Do we pray for restoration to God’s Presence? Or for rescue from unpleasant circumstances?
