just as beauty arose from decaying flora on this woodlands floor.
Chapter 21 of I Chronicles gives us some insight into the spiritual realm. However, it is important not to read more into these verses than what is actually said. (Remember the warning in Revelation 22:19, not to add to or take away from what God has inspired to be written.We are on earth and God is in heaven--there is more that we do not know than we know. It is with prayer and humility that I ask God to help me not go beyond what He says in His word as I write these blogs.)
Verse 1, tells us that Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. God had ordered a census taken in Numbers, however, "this census was taken so David could take pride in the strength of his army" (Life Application Study Bible). Pride was Lucifer's downfall and it is not surprising that he uses our pride to motivate us to do wrong. Life Application Bible makes a very good point: "There is a fine line between feeling confident because you rely on God's power and becoming proud because you have been used by God for great purposes". We all are subject to pride and must first be aware of it in order to repent and turn from it. God will show us if we ask. (We might need to ask God to help us not be afraid to ask.) We should not be surprised that Satan stands up against us. I Peter 5:8, admonishes us to "be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour". He convinced David to do something that cost the lives of at least 70,000 men. If he could get to David, where does that leave us? However, verse 9, tells us to resist Satan stedfast in the faith. At that time, David evidently did not resist the temptation to number his army. He was found putting his trust in the power he had at his disposal, rather than trusting God who whittled down large armies in order to reveal the real source of victory.
The other insight into the spiritual realm comes in verses 12-30 of I Chronicles 21, which speaks of "the angel of the Lord" and his role as "destroyer". God gave David the choice of three punishments for numbering Israel. He chose punishment at the hand of God rather than at the hand of man or three years of famine. David evidently did not even consider choosing famine as the punishment--women and children are affected by famine and perhaps this was the reason David did not consider it.
It is important to understand that David always returned to God. He suffered under God's judgment more than once, even to the point of God taking the life of his infant son. However, David knew God's love and yet also knew that sin has consequences and exacts a penalty. David recognized his guilt. The effects of sin are rampant today, yet unrecognized as such by most people. Many times God is blamed for tragedies when in fact, He is there to heal and to comfort. The fact that David suffered so much, but always returned to God in repentance, rising from the ashes of God's judgment in many cases, to once again worship the God of Israel attests to not only David's faith, but to God's love. Psalm 78, goes right along with this line of thinking. "When He slew them, then they sought Him. . .then they remembered that God was their rock, and the Most High God their Redeemer". God is full of compassion and forgives our iniquity. Yes, many times God turns away His anger from us and is merciful, "For He remembered that they were but flesh, a breath that passes away and does not come again" (verse 39).
In Acts 9, we are given an in depth look at Saul's conversion. The contrast in Saul's life as persecutor of the church and his life as an apostle is nothing short of miraculous. As we read his writings, it is powerful to consider who Paul was before God got his attention on the road to Damascus. We tend to want to see the supernatural as well as miracles. When we see a life that God has turned 360 degrees toward Him--we have seen the greatest miracle of all. Saul's encounter with God changed his life just as it will change our lives. We are more than lacking in our understanding of God today.
Father, help us as believers to grow in our knowledge of You through this daily Bible study. Help our lives model your principles and enable us to express Your love to those we come in contact with. Help us faithfully pray for those who do not know You that they might come to know You--the God of David and our God. May we joyfully share the Good News of who You are with those we meet. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
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