Security – Nathan

Nathan's challenge

What would have happened if Nathan himself had not felt secure? His odds, after all, were not good. He knew he had to confront King David with his sin. He knew David had covered everything up so well that no one knew what had happened. Nathan could therefore expect no moral support from others. He knew David was very popular. David had brought Israel to a position of standing among the nations, and most Israelites would take David's side if forced to choose. He knew that in the matter of Uriah, David had, purely on the formal legal level, done nothing wrong. David had arranged for the man to go into battle against the Ammonites. Uriah was killed by the Ammonites in battle, not by David himself. Nathan had to be completely certain of his version of the truth, or his action would backfire.

What gave Nathan security?

In this situation Nathan had several points at once that gave him security.

• Nathan had God's truth behind him. He did not have to stand against David alone.

• Nathan had a relationship with David. Their friendship formed the bridge that allowed Nathan to do what God called him to do.

• Nathan's identity depended on his divine calling, not on his popularity. Nathan was determined to speak God's truth, regardless of the people's reaction.

• Nathan understood his personal assignment. He acted out of a deep conviction.

• Nathan was humble. He had nothing to lose.

Nathan felt so secure that he was able to take on the challenge and step before the king.

Symptoms of insecurity

The following symptoms commonly appear in insecure people:

• Comparison - We compare ourselves with others and evaluate them and ourselves. Why? Are we unsure of where we stand?

• Compensation - We feel like victims and need to compensate for our losses. Why? Are we unsure that we are provided for?

• Competition - We are preoccupied with ourselves and try to outdo others in order to prove what we can do. Why? Are we unsure that we are strong?

• Compulsion - We feel driven to perform in order to gain the approval of others. Why? Are we unsure that we are loved?

• Condemnation - We condemn others or ourselves, which leads to self-pity or vanity. Why? Are we unsure that we are just?

• Control - We feel that we must take control in order to protect our interests. Why? Are we unsure that God is in control?

Just because one of these symptoms appears does not automatically mean a person is insecure. But it is a sign worth watching further.

Four keys to security

The following four aspects help reduce personal insecurity:

• Identity - Secure people ground their identity in Christ. They are valuable because they belong to him, not because of what they accomplish.

• Breaking of ego - Secure people have overcome their ego together with God. They are free of the desire for self-sufficiency and self-promotion.

• Purpose - Secure people discover and practice the God-given purpose of their life, not someone else's.

• Blessing - Secure people give and receive blessing. They learn to affirm others and to receive affirmation.

Knowing who I am - feeling that my ego follows me - living for what I am for - and thereby receiving blessing and being a blessing, is a strong foundation for secure leadership.

2 Samuel 12:1-14
Nathan's rebuke and David's repentance. The birth of Solomon
1 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:
6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.
9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.