Corona Devo 941

King David of Israel was a big famous guy in the Bible, and he did so many things right.  His heart was founded on a direct (submissive) relationship with God...mostly.

But all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and David was no different than you and me.  In fact, in his sinful-nature, he was very much like you and me.  He wanted to please the Lord, but Satan rose up...and caused David to sin by wanting to take a census of the people of Israel (I Chronicles 21:1).  

Taking a census may not sound like a big deal, but this was just the what that caused David to sin (this time).  Each of our sinful-"what's" will be unique and they might not even appear sinful to others.  But for whatever reason (disobedience, pride, valuing strength/resources-over faith) the census was David's "sin" at that time.

We each have "census" sins that crop up in our lives.  But how will we handle the conviction of them and seeking forgiveness for them?  (Or will we?)

David displeased God, but he also came humbly before Him to seek forgiveness.

God was very displeased with the census, and he punished Israel for it. (8 )Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt for doing this foolish thing.”  

(9) Then the Lord spoke to Gad, David’s seer. This was the message: (10) “Go and say to David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will give you three choices. Choose one of these punishments, and I will inflict it on you.’”... 

(13) “I’m in a desperate situation!” David replied to Gad. “But let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great. Do not let me fall into human hands.”  

(14) So the Lord sent a plague upon Israel... (15) And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But just as the angel was preparing to destroy it, the Lord relented and said to the death angel, “Stop! That is enough!” At that moment the angel of the Lord was standing by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.  ~I Chronicles 21:7-10, 13-15

In David's wisdom-in-the-Lord (and in his knowledge of the Lord's mercy), he chose to fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great (I Chronicles 21:13).

Heavenly Father, we praise You that even though WE DESERVE the full consequence of our sinful actions, You have the power to relent and to show mercy.  Correct our hearts.  Ground us in You.  As King David did, we also pray for Your mercy over our deserved-consequences today.  Amen.  

David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth with his sword drawn, reaching out over Jerusalem. So David and the leaders of Israel put on burlap to show their deep distress and fell face down on the ground. (17) And David said to God, “I am the one who called for the census! I am the one who has sinned and done wrong! But these people are as innocent as sheep—what have they done? O Lord my God, let your anger fall against me and my family, but do not destroy your people.”

(18) Then the angel of the Lord told Gad to instruct David to go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. (19) So David went up to do what the Lord had commanded him through Gad.  ~I Chronicles 21:16-19

David saw everything that was happening, and he owned his sole-responsibility for all of it.  His apology and submission before God was real.  

When God allowed David the opportunity to build an altar, David was on it immediately.  Although the owner of the threshing floor offered to allow David to use the space and all materials for free, David vehemently declined.  David knew he had to own-his-sin and walk through this reconciliation process alone.  

When it comes to acknowledging our sin and moving back into God's grace, no one else can do it for us.  

But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it for the full price. I will not take what is yours and give it to the Lord. I will not present burnt offerings that have cost me nothing!”...

(26) David built an altar there to the Lord and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. And when David prayed, the Lord answered him by sending fire from heaven to burn up the offering on the altar. 

(27) Then the Lord spoke to the angel, who put the sword back into its sheath.  ~I Chronicles 21:25-27

~~~

We deserve the judgment and penalty for our sins, and we don't have to dig too deep to find something we've done/said/thought that displeased the Lord (AKA sin).  

But what is our reaction to our sin?  Ignoring it?  Denying it?  Burying it?  Or owning it?

If we will acknowledge our sin...if we will submit to God about it...there will still be consequences, but David knew that his mercy is very great (I Chronicles 21:13).

It sure is.  

David sacrificed an oxen to the Lord.  God no longer requires an animal on the altar from us, but what does the Lord require?

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.  ~Micah 6:8

No other god shows grace and mercy on sin, except our Lord.  Then the Lord spoke to the angel, who put the sword back into its sheath.  ~I Chronicles 21:27

~~~

Lord, we come before You in humble submission today.  You know our sins.  You know our hearts in submitting them.  Forgive us.  Redeem us.  Restore us into Your service today, Lord.  We acknowledge our sin, and we lift a sacrifice of humility to You today, Lord.  We present a sacrifice of submission to You, and we present an honest confession before You today.  Please put Your sword of consequence back into its sheath, Father.  Amen.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com