I Chronicles 21

1 Chronicles 21:24, "But King David replied to Araunah, "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."

How blasé we talk about worshipping God, how tritely we utter the words Praise God, and how assuming we are when we come to church to lead the people of God into worship! God bless those who come every week faithfully, practice music to perfection, and still fall short of grasping the awesomeness of worship.

I feel like I can relate so well to David because of his heart to please God, and yet the times when he just blows it because he is human. I can only say, "Been there, done that." But, he didn't let his mistakes keep him from doing what he knew in his heart was right and just. The story of David numbering the fighting men of Israel is a perfect example of David's frailty in the decision making process when he allowed Satan an inroad into his thinking. Listening to the voice of Satan, rather than staying in tune with God, David commands that the fighting men be numbered. I can almost see David's chest puffing up when Joab reported back a whopping one million one hundred thousand men who could handle a sword. Why was God so repulsed by David's action? I don't really know, but David and Joab both knew it was wrong, and most importantly, David's action was evil in the sight of God. Perhaps God knew that David would think that somehow the greatness of his kingdom was due to manpower, not God-power.

God, being the just God that He is, gave David a choice of three punishments. David chose the punishment from God, rather than from men and watched as God sent a plague on Israel and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead. A pretty horrendous consequence for listening to Satan. Verse 17 says, "David said to God, "Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I am the one who has sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. O Lord my God, let your hand fall upon me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people." This particular punishment was to have lasted three days, and was to reach to every part of Israel. You see, God did not take lightly the fact that David has disobeyed Him.