May 2 - 2 Samuel 24:1-9 | 1 Chronicles 21:1-6 | 2 Samuel 24:10-17 | 1 Chronicles 21:7-17 | 2 Samuel 24:18-25 | 1 Chronicles 21:18-22:19

Good morning everyone,

This morning we finish up the book of 2 Samuel but not before we read how David will once again sin against the Lord. David is up there in age, 7o-ish (I use to call that old - ha ha) and he is without a doubt the greatest king the land had ever seen, or arguably ever will see, for that matter. David’s authority reached as far as the Euphrates River in the north, all the way down to the tip of the Red Sea and the River of Egypt. The prophecy from Genesis 15:18 which says, ”On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: ‘To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates…” had been fulfilled. David had it all. Sadly, it is a dangerous thing when we have it all. When we have masses of armies to fight our battles for us, that is to say, huge savings accounts, IRA’s set up for retirement, job security, no health issues, we no longer feel the need to go to God for help or strength, or advise. We forget all about Him and start working in our own strength, claiming the victory for all that we are and have. Make sense? We get prideful, and in David’s case he wanted all of his soldiers counted just to see how “great” he had become. Maybe even compare his numbers to those of Moses. So he sends for Joab who is quick to see what is going on here and says to David, “Are you sure you want to do this?” but David said, “Go count.”

Well, it didn’t take long for David to realize his mistake, about 9 months … hmmm, ponder that for a moment,  anyway, we’re told David was conscience-stricken and he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.” and before David got up the next morning, God had sent Gad to talk with him to let him know, perhaps confirm that God was not happy with David’s behavior. Gad told David God’s message was he was to choose one of three “consequence of choice.” David chose a three day plague which resulted in the loss of 70,000 lives. David couldn’t stand this and begged for the lives of his people. God told David to build an alter on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.  

Just a little “hey did you know” that this threshing floor was on Mount Moriah? The very same mountain where God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, but then provided a lamb for the sacrifice. The very same mountain where stands in Jerusalem today Dome of the Rock, a large golden dome, octagon structure which represents an Islamic shrine. The very same mountain where a temple for our God will stand again. Anyway, David bought this real-estate for bargain price of fifty shekels from Araunah, about $200,000 today and built the alter to sacrifice and, we’re told, the plague on Israel was stopped. 

Today we saw that David took his eyes off of the Lord and allowed his pride to rule, subsequently leading him sin, which had devastating ripple effect on the people of his land. It serves to be a great reminder to us how easily our sins can hurt the lives of those we love so dearly. How much divorce, or being arrested, or living with our partner before marriage, or the way we talk, or what we watch, the list goes on and on, can hurt and influence our kids as well as other family members or even those we work or associate with on a daily basis. On the other side of the coin, how encouraged they can be, how energetic and engaging and full of hope they will live, when we walk the talk, live with the light of the King shining through us and lead with Jesus ruling our hearts. Proverbs 11:2 says “Pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” David allowed pride to rule his heart, we can learn from that. Amen? 

Have a great day, and to God be the glory.

God bless you all