by Pastor Cecil | Oct 20, 2008 | 2 Samuel
2 Samuel 24:10
“David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the LORD, ‘I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.'”
Do you remember the story of Gideon, whom God raised up to deliver Israel from the hand of a mighty army of Midianites and Amalekites? God called Gideon to lead Israel into battle against this mighty army. He could only muster 32,000 men.
What could so few do against so many? But God is not, nor has He ever been interested in numbers. He had Gideon whittle the number down to only 300 men of Israel to defeat that mighty army. Why did God want only a few? The answer is found in Judges 7:2; “The LORD said to Gideon, ‘You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against Me that her own strength has saved her.’”
As a young man David had confronted Goliath with only a sling and five smooth stones. It only took one of those stones to drop the giant! When we follow close to the Lord and rely on His strength, we will see our own giants fall.
So why are numbers so important to so many? Why do we exert so much effort to achieve numerical gain? Pride! Our desire to have more or to be better in some way is repulsive to the Lord.
In today’s Scripture we read of David’s repentance for requiring a census of the number of fighting men. Why David wanted to do this is known only to him and God. He was an old man and his fighting days were over.
Regardless of the reason for the census, it was terribly displeasing to the Lord. In fact it was so displeasing that judgment fell on David and his people. As a result of David’s prideful sin, 70,000 people died from a plague. The wages of sin is always death.
I must confess that I have been guilty of counting numbers. The Lord has convicted me of the sin of using numbers to show accomplishment. It is such a common practice that I was not even realizing how wicked it was.
We disguise the counting of numbers (people, contacts, giving, etc.) as proof that God is blessing us more than others. Did I just say that? Yes, I certainly did. We need to be honest with ourselves and with the Lord that much of work is not to defeat Satan, but to have a larger spiritual footprint than other churches or ministries. That is so repugnant that I even hate to write it.
I am making a covenant with the Lord from this moment forward. I will work with all my might to draw the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I will give of myself to make disciples of everyone I can. Yet I will live and die by this total commitment: “Even though I walk alone in obedience to the Lord—I am determined to follow Christ until He calls me home.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Aug 29, 2008 | 2 Samuel
2 Samuel 12:4-7a
“‘Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.’ David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!’”
Back in the 1970’s I was working for the State of Idaho and also taught a Bible class at the Idaho State Penitentiary. One of the men had been convicted of murder and was serving a life sentence. One night he was sharing with the group what had happened. His act was accomplished in the heat of emotion. His evening had begun in a festive atmosphere but ended with him behind bars for life.
The result of our actions will always result in consequences. The result of doing things God’s way will result in honor and blessing. Refusal to obey God and His commands will carry shame and dire consequences.
David was God’s selection to be the mighty King of Israel. David had served the Lord faithfully for many years and God had showered him with honor and blessings.
In 2 Samuel 11:1, we read; “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army.” What a sad sentence. At a time when David should have been with his army he stayed at home. I am sure that he rationalized that he was needed back home, but that was not the place he was called to serve. KINGS LEAD—THEY DO NOT SEND!
You no doubt recall the sad story of David’s sin. He STAYED—He STARED—He STOLE—He SLEW! He was guilty of not going into battle with his men; of committing adultery and of killing Bathsheba’s faithful husband.
I am sure that David’s conscience bothered him, but it is possible that he may have thought he had escaped the consequences. God knew! Not only did God know, but He sent a prophet named Nathan to confront David about his sin.
As we read today’s Scripture, we see that David is enraged by a wealthy and powerful neighbor who would steal his poor neighbor’s one ewe lamb. He fumed out his vengeance on such a vile man but was stopped in his tracks by Nathan’s words of judgment: “You are the man!”
David repented of his sin, but there were serious consequences. Like my friend at the Penitentiary, a consequence was required. In David’s case it was the death of his baby and chaos between his sons.
Repentance also had its consequences. My friend became a born again Christian and led many other inmates to Jesus. David felt the touch of the Lord and wrote many Psalms with a broken heart. He became known as a man after God’s own heart. Where are you right now? I urge you to repent and reap the consequences of God’s love and forgiveness.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
— Pastor Cecil
