Heart-Understanding of God; Justice; Mercy; Integrity
13 David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”
David sinned against the Lord- and thereby brought the Lord’s displeasure upon himself and the nation of Israel-
and when faced with three choices to be carried out against Israel as consequence- he chose the Lord, so secure in His Nature, Mercy, Character, and Love was he.
4 So the Lord sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead. 15 And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But as the angel was doing so, the Lord saw it and relented concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.” The angel of the Lord was then standing at the threshing floor of Araunah[b] the Jebusite.
“The Lord saw it and relented…” David was right to trust His Mercy. To Trust His Nature and Character.
17 David said to God, “Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I, the shepherd,[c] have sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Lord my God, let your hand fall on me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people.”
David’s integrity shines forth. He beseeches the Lord for mercy for Israel. He takes full responsibility. He desires to spare those who are guilty “by default”- guilty because of a choice he sinfully made. He cries out before the Lord for His people.
8 Then the angel of the Lord ordered Gad to tell David to go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.19 So David went up in obedience to the word that Gad had spoken in the name of the Lord.
David goes to Araunah’s threshing floor in obedience to God. He goes to stay the Sword of the Lord. Araunah offers him everything, and David refuses. He insists on paying full price.
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.”
Aranuah shows respect and generosity to his King. David responds with integrity, respect, and honor. His obedience to the Lord is from his whole heart, and with everything that he is. An offering bears a cost. The cost is holy.
I have often felt that a gift that cost me nothing- either in money, time, or thought- is no true gift at all.
Lord, I pray you grant me truth in the inner man so that I can walk with integrity. Help me recognize my responsibility and own it fully. Sin is deceitful and misleading. Your light leads the way securely. Help me please You with my offerings and have a tender heart to You and those You entrust to my care. Amen
Sixty-six books in a year 