It will cost you

Worship should cost you something. The attitude of a free ride is not in order and should be avoided at all cost.

English Standard Version Chapter 21

No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”

1 Chronicles 21 and 2 Samuel 24 tells of the sin and repentance of David when he asked Joab to number the fighting men of Israel and Judah. This was a serious lapse of judgement that angered the Lord. Joab had warned David that this was not a good use of time. Numbering the Lord’s army as if any battle could be one without the Lord was even possible. This event happens later in Davids life. This lapse of judgement is so out of character that it deserves a deeper look. Verse 1 explains it: 21:1 Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. You can already guest that something this foolish Satan would be behind it.

Peter warns us “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

Satan himself told God he was going to and fro. This is Satan’s M O . He walking around looking for his next victim. You are not exempt from Satan’s antics. He looks for those vulnerable moments when he can incite you to sin.

David who had already had a personal failure with his taking of Bathsheba had been on the straight and narrow. He is is this mature season of his life. He is king over both Israel and Judah. God had delivered him form Saul. He had tried God and knew Gods faithfulness. David shared in 2 Samuel 22

English Standard Version Chapter 22

47  “The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock,

and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation,

48  the God who gave me vengeance

and brought down peoples under me,

49  who brought me out from my enemies;

you exalted me above those who rose against me;

you delivered me from men of violence.

He had tried God and God had proven to be faithful. Yet like us we have faith walk lapses. We go back to relying on our own strength and think we know whats best. We just throw Proverbs 3:5-6

English Standard Version Chapter 3

5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

6  In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

7  Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

Yes David had a faith lapse. He went from trusting the Lord to trusting himself. Anytime we start trusting ourselves more than God we are heading for disaster.

That’s what happens here. Go was not pleased. Though David repented of his foolishness The Lord said there was a price to pay.

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 21

either three years of famine, or three months to be swept away before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the LORD, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.

David considered and said I am in trouble but since I know the Lord is merciful I will go with the three days at the Lords hands. 70000 men of Israel died the 1st day.

Yet in our text we find the Lord relenting and commanding the Angel of the Lord to stay.

Sin will Derail your Ministry

Davids sin to call for a census was ill advised. Joab thought was a bad idea. so much so he did not complete the entire census. He didn’t count the tribe of Benjamin or Levi. When you are in leadership you must listen to wise council. Your ego must remain in check. Its not about you its about serving the Lord. And all we do should be done to his glory!

The Lord is Merciful

How many have experience God’s mercy.

The psalmist in 103:8 says The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

English Standard Version Chapter 24

16 And when the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was working destruction among the people, “It is enough; now stay your hand.” And the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. 17 Then David spoke to the LORD when he saw the angel who was striking the people, and said, “Behold, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand be against me and against my father’s house.”

The Lord stayed the calamity after 70000. He had the angel stand between

David was counting on the Lord’s mercy.

English Standard Version Chapter 24

14 Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man.”

Your worship should cost you something

English Standard Version Chapter 21

24 But King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 25 So David paid Ornan 600 shekels of gold by weight for the site. 26 And David built there an altar to the LORD and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings and called on the LORD, and the LORD answered him with fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering. 27 Then the LORD commanded the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath.