1 Chronicles 14 through 20 details an extended period where things were progressing along quite nicely for King David and God’s people: military successes on every front; peace and safety at home; rapidly expanding borders; burgeoning weath and prosperity; crops and flocks flourishing… And David appears to have said in his heart, “My! What greatness! What accomplishments! I wonder just how many swords we have!”
“Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel.”
Had David forgotten?
The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.
(Ps 33:16.17)
Joab and the army commanders pled with David not to take the census–they knew this was wrong. But David was determined. Had he forgotten how it went with willfully disobedient King Saul?
“But the thing was evil in the sight of God, so He struck Israel. And 70,000 men of Israel died.”
Friends, we at Woodland Hills are watching expectantly for God to do amazing things among us in 2008. But two things will derail our train faster than you can say, “Christie Lomas loves Carolyn’s cookin.” (1) the notion that we are finally getting it right around here, or (2) determined disobedience to some aspect of God’s revealed will.
In the words of the Apostle, “May it never be!”
O Lord, I reaffirm my utter dependence on You if anything of lasting value is to take place through me. And where You find in me any of that treacherous self-sufficiency or determined disobedience–Please!–convict me of it and grant brokenness and repentance.