April 10 - I Chronicles 18-21
David was a great military man and a great leader. I think we tend to forget that sometimes because of him beginning as a shepherd boy and because he was a musician. The fact is David was a very strong man, a man's man. There is no contradiction between being a believer and being a strong, manly man. There is no contradiction between being strong and being humble, either. A humble person is simply a person who submits to God's control. He may be a very strong person at the same time. Because of these qualities, David led Israel to many victories in battle. However, the real key comes when we read that " the Lord preserved David wherever he went." It was God's presence that led David to victory not his own strength. No matter how strong we are physically or as a leader, we must trust God for the ultimate victories of life. We cannot do it ourselves.
In all of the success David must have become proud and wanted to know just how great a people he was leading, so he ordered a census. Joab tried to stop him, so it must have been evident that it was not God's will, but David's eyes were blinded so he went ahead with it. After the census the anger of God was roused against David and all Israel. God gave David three options for punishment of his sin. David showed that he knew the Lord well by casting himself and the people into the hands of the Lord instead of famine or other enemies. In the end God did show mercy as David thought he would, but not before 70,000 men died. What a terrible toll for the pride of a leader! This is a grim reminder that the decisions of a leader effect many people. When a leader sins, the consequences extend to those he or she is leading. It, also, shows that we are all in this together. The people can't pretend to be separate from the leaders or vis versa. It is up to us to trust God together, or we will fail together. David should have considered Joab's warning, but he didn't. Leaders should always be sensitive to the input of their people to help them discern the Lord's will.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 22-25.
In all of the success David must have become proud and wanted to know just how great a people he was leading, so he ordered a census. Joab tried to stop him, so it must have been evident that it was not God's will, but David's eyes were blinded so he went ahead with it. After the census the anger of God was roused against David and all Israel. God gave David three options for punishment of his sin. David showed that he knew the Lord well by casting himself and the people into the hands of the Lord instead of famine or other enemies. In the end God did show mercy as David thought he would, but not before 70,000 men died. What a terrible toll for the pride of a leader! This is a grim reminder that the decisions of a leader effect many people. When a leader sins, the consequences extend to those he or she is leading. It, also, shows that we are all in this together. The people can't pretend to be separate from the leaders or vis versa. It is up to us to trust God together, or we will fail together. David should have considered Joab's warning, but he didn't. Leaders should always be sensitive to the input of their people to help them discern the Lord's will.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 22-25.