2 Samuel 12:14
“Nevertheless, because by this deed you have shown utter contempt for the word of the LORD, the son born to you will surely die.”
While this is grievous for the parents, this is probably merciful for the child. He would have been seen as a child born of an affair. He may have been teased for it. He may have developed sour attitudes and done bad things as a result. By dying all that is spared. He ends up in heaven. It's a win for him.
David will see this as a dark spot in his life. He may always look back in shame. I'm not sure if this sin was public knowledge, so he may have been haunted with it being known.
I think we all look back in shame at some things. That same fear may be there about our transgressions coming out. God understands. He's not interested in embarrassing us.
It's nice to trust our lives in God's hands. These things are complicated. We don't have to manipulate situations in attempts to repair. We can leave it to Him. Proverbs 3:5,6 comes to mind, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." This is so comforting.
Real life and novels are filled with people attempting to fix their messes. There is manipulation and careful planning hoping that people will behave predictably. They rarely do and things can get worse. Proverbs warns about this, also. 14:12 says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." David did this. He sought to hide his sin by getting Uriah killed. He thought he got away with it until Nathan showed up.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding", (Proverbs 9:10). When we know there is a God who sees all and has standards, then wisdom is born in us. David thought this was hidden. He found out otherwise. This is quite a lesson as David is one of the heroes of the bible and he stumbled. How much more can we?
We are so vulnerable to evil and foolishness. We don't see this in our youth. That's why David prays, "Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my rebellious acts; remember me according to Your loving devotion, because of Your goodness, O LORD", (Psalm 25:7).
This is why Jesus said, "Blessed are those that are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven", (Matthew 5:3). He knows how susceptible we are to bad things. David says this about the proud in Psalm 73:18,19, "You indeed put them on slippery ground; You dropped them into ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!" They are completely unaware of this. They arrogantly plow ahead with their plans without any regard for God or destruction. This is terrifying.
I would be willing to grovel and beg for God to help. We see this in religions of the world. Not necessary. Here's what Hebrews 4:16 says, "Therefore we should come with boldness to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need." What a great God. We don't instinctively know this. Many religions see God as angry and vindictive.
I John 4:7 says, "Beloved, we should love one another, because love is from God; and everyone loving has been born from God and knows God." This is our God and He wants us to be loving. Such great news. Because of this love He sent His Son to rescue us.
Lord, thank You for being so loving. We have done bad things, yet You still love us and seek to help us. Thank You for the grace You give us.