If we hang our hat on numbers, we are in big trouble. Like David, we would be concentrating our strength on how much we have or have not, instead of trusting God.
David got into trouble with numbers. It was at Satan’s instigation, but David didn’t bother asking God or even listening to his advisors. He wanted to know how many people were in Israel and nothing would stop him. (1 Chronicles 21:1-4)
As you might expect, God was displeased (Verse 7) and David admitted his guilt. (Verse 8)
God gave him three choices of punishment.
“I offer you three things; choose for yourself one of them, which I will do to you.”
Three years of famine
Three months to be swept away before your foes.
Three days of the sword of the Lord, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’ (Verses 12)
David said, “I am in great distress; please let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are very great. But do not let me fall into the hand of man.” (Verse 13)
That’s what I want you to see. It is better to fall into the hands of the living God instead of the world and its wickedness.
Don’t go quoting Hebrews 10:31 to me. It does indeed say that it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God, but it is only terrifying if you trampled underfoot the Son of God, regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant and insulted the Spirit of grace. (Hebrews 10:30, NASB)
And you would never do that. Would you?
Prayer- Father, keep us in your will and your way, not the way of the world. Amen
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