Reading straight through the life of David in I & II Samuel has been so amazing. What a man he was! So often we compartmentalize him: lowly shepherd boy, meek harpist & poet, fugitive, strong warrior, mighty king. But he was all of these in one body. Read through his story if you haven't. Such a picture of who we are, who we can be, and how God really does work in our lives just as He did in ancient days for His people.
Today, I finished II Samuel. David takes a census of the people, and then realizes (for whatever reason) that it was a mistake. The Lord's prophet, Gad, gave David three choices of punishment: 1) seven years of famine, 2) three months of fleeing from enemies, or 3) three days of pestilance upon the people. Which would you choose?
My thought was that I'd automatically choose the three days of pestilance. It has the shortest time frame, and therefore would seem to be most bearable (though 70,000 men died from it). But that's not why David chose number three.
Then David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Let us now fall into the hands of the Lord for His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hands of man." (24:14)
David chose three days of pestilance because that is the one that was void of other men's hands. Famine -- you go to other countries for food. Fleeing -- obviously from other men. Pestilance -- straight from God Himself. David chose to be at the mercy of God alone rather than God and men. He understood that while God's power was far greater than men, His mercies were also far greater...and more probable...than the mercies of men.
What a beautiful paradox. Wanting punishment from only the all-powerful God of the Universe because His mercies are the most tender.
4 comments:
I'm finishing up studying through Kings and Chronicles. What you mentioned is a theme throughout the Old Testament. It's so neat to see how God can be so wrathful towards sin, and then so gentle and tender when He relents and we repent. And it's all because God is keeping His covenant with His people!
Makes me think of a similar thought lately: Often you hear to "love the sinner and hate the sin" as if the two were separate actions.
Really, if you see how the Lord loves us, it is that He hates the sin so much BECAUSE of His love for the sinner (which magnifies His glory).
Awesome post, Dawn. What a great reminder this is that God's mercies are great and most tender. Thanks for writing this.
I'm so glad you are back to writing your spiritual insights. These are such great thoughts, true thoughts, thoughts I need to hear :) Thank you
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