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Chronicles 21 provides another example of King David’s greatest
attribute; he trusted God’s merciful heart.
1 John 2:16 warns that we are always tempted in one of three ways,
“the
lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life“.
So simple, but so profoundly true. The chapter begins with a
statement that seems harmless, “Satan
rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel“.
There was no military reason for this census; it was purely act of
pride. Numbering the men was like claiming ownership, and many times
God declared “I
will be your God and you will be My people“.
It is clear from the reaction of General Joab that David knew what
he was doing, “Why
does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?“.
In fact we read, “Joab
did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, because the
king’s command was repulsive to him. This command was also evil in
the sight of God“.
It is interesting that David knew immediately that he had attempted
to steal God’s glory and he came before the Lord, “I
have sinned greatly by doing this. Now, I beg You, take away the
guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing“.
Please note that God’s forgiveness begins with acknowledgement of
guilt. We cannot hide our sins from God, but we often act like we
can!
God
spoke to David through the prophet Gad “I am giving you three
options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you”.
David could choose, three years of famine, three months attack from
the enemy or three days of God’s judgment. I love his answer, “Let
me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great; but
do not let me fall into the hands of men“.
When my children were younger, I would occasionally need to spank
them, but this was a task I would not pass on to anyone that does not
love them. Every swat was tempered with a father’s love. And the
chapter continues, “God
sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But as the angel was doing so,
the Lord saw it and was grieved because of the calamity and said to
the angel who was destroying the people, ‘Enough! Withdraw your
hand’.”
Some people today ask, “Why doesn’t God judge evil?”. 2 Peter
3:9 explains it this way, “The
Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to
come to repentance“.
Why are you slow to repent?
The
chapter ends with God commanding David to “go
up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah
the Jebusite“.
This was the very spot where God withheld the judgment of the angel.
When David told the owner his plan, the owner wanted to give the
property to David. David responded, “No,
I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what
is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing“.
And we read, “When
David saw that the Lord had answered him on the threshing floor of
Araunah the Jebusite, he offered sacrifices there“.
And finally we see a very cool picture. David then moved “The
tabernacle of the Lord, which Moses had made in the desert”
to the place of mercy. Later the temple of Solomon was built in that
very spot. All of the sacrifices and service man can offer is built
on God’s great mercy. Are you willing to trust in God’s mercy?