God Speaks
King David Foolishly Counts His Troops, Repents, Builds An Altar and Gathers Materials for the Temple
Verse of the Day: David was conscience-stricken after he counted the fighting men, 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.” (2 Samuel 24:10; See also 1 Chronicles 21:8 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 143
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22 and Psalm 30:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
2 Samuel 24
1. God would not incite a person to evil. So, it must have been (like in the case of Job), that it was God who gave Satan permission to incite David to make this wicked decision to take a census of the fighting men. This revealed David’s foolish lack of trust in the LORD.
2. People, like Joab, who recognize some decision or action of their superiors is wrong (especially if it is against God), should respectfully raise questions.
1 Chronicles 21
1. God is merciful when we humble ourselves and repent as King David did.
2. People often suffer because of the unwise or sinful decisions or actions of their leaders or rulers.
1 Chronicles 22
1. God often uses us to prepare for future generations to do more to advance His kingdom than we have done.
2. People, like David with Solomon, are to bless and encourage their children to seek the LORD their God with all their heart and soul and to honor the LORD’s name in whatever they do.
Psalm 30
1. The LORD God blesses His faithful people through lifting them out of dispair, giving them vvictory over their enemies, healing them and delivering them from death.
2. Out of gratiitude for all God’s blessings, people should praise His holy name, seek His favor continually and jubilantly celebrate His mercy and grace in the presence of others.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22 and Psalm 30?
Dear LORD God, You are the source of all wisdom, integrity, and courage. I don’t know if it was pride or fear that Satan used to cause King David to call for a census of his troops, but it caused him to look to his own ideas and not to You. Holy Spirit, please help me to keep looking to You for guidance, protection, and provision, not to myself or other people. Help me to listen and heed wise, godly advice (even if it is from someone under me). Give me the courage to offer wise counsel as well. When I am wrong or have acted foolishly, may I humble myself, admit my wrongdoing, call on Your mercy, and take whatever correction or punishment You choose. Then help me to pass on to others the lessons You have taught me and prepare them to trust and obey You more than I have. May I bless and encourage the children in my care to seek the LORD their God with all their heart and soul and to honor the LORD’s name in whatever they do. You, O God, are the God who speaks. Your voice is sometimes scary like a fierce thunderstorm, but then You either calm the storm or You calm me like a little child. I honor You and call on others to join me. O gracious Father God, words of thanks are not enough to express my deep gratitude. You have rescued me from my enemies. You have restored my health. You kept me from going down into the grave. I will tell everyone about Your greatness and grace. You bring joy in the morning after a night of darkness and mourning. When I tried to make it on my own, I thought things were going well, but then You took away Your blessing, and I was shattered. I cried out to You, “I can’t praise You from the grave. Please hear me and have mercy on me, O Lord.” In Your great love, You did hear! You’ve made me dance for joy. I will sing of Your love forever. I won’t be silent anymore. I will sing Your praises throughout eternity. This will result in bringing You more praise and glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to II Samuel 24, I Chronicles 21-22 and Psalm 30?
With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will support “whistleblowers” who step forward to point out the ungodly decisions or actions of their superiors.
- I will pray for a friend who is wrestling with a decision that will affect their family’s livelihood: that they will have courage and trust and obey the LORD.
- I will do something specific to prepare the way for the younger generation to do more in serving God than I have done.
- I will pray for various people (even nations) that are under both physical and spiritual attack that they would be rescued and be able to extol the Lord using Psalm 30.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.