This experience was most painful to David, but it was most beneficial. But for the mirror which Nathan held up before him, in which he so clearly recognized his own likeness, he would have gone on unconvicted of his heinous sin, and would have been ruined. The conviction of his guilt was the saving of his soul. He saw himself in another light, as the Lord saw him, and as long as he lived he repented of his sin (Letter 57, 1897).{2BC 1023.3}

Denne erfaring var meget smertelig for David, men den var meget gavnlig. Men i det spejl som Natan holdt op for ham, hvor han klart kunne genkende sin egen lighed, ville han have gået ubevidst over sin afskyelige synd, og ville være faldet. Overbevisningen af hans skyld var redningen for hans sjæl. Han så sig selv i et andet lys, som Herren så ham, og lige så længe som han levede angrede han sin synd. (Brev 57, 1897).