1 Chronicles 21-23

May 7

1 Chronicles 21-23

David’s problem was not that he counted the number of Israelites. His problem was his arrogant attitude. He wanted to know the number of Israelites so he could glory in the great power of the nation under him. God brought punishment, not only upon David, but upon the nation that served under David. God gave David a choice of three forms of punishment. David chose to suffer at the hands of God instead of the hands of men. A plague struck Israel and seventy thousand died. The time of punishment was not complete, but as David had said, God had mercy on Israel and stopped the angel from more destruction as he was about to strike Jerusalem.

David humbled himself before God and bought the threshing floor where the angel stopped the destruction. That spot, the threshing floor of Araunah, became the place where David decided the temple should be built. David them made his life mission to prepare the materials and plans so that after he died Solomon could build and complete the temple of the Lord.

David’s humbleness in this story is of note. His arrogance turned to humbleness quickly. When David humbled himself, God listened. God does not listen to our arrogant mouths, but if we will humble ourselves before Him, He hears from heaven and responds. David could have taken the land and the threshing floor of Araunah. Araunah offered to give it to him. "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.”" (1 Chronicles 21:24, NIV)

Sacrifices that cost nothing mean nothing. Sacrifice by definition costs us something. In the New Testament we are told God wants us as living sacrifices. He wants us to live wholeheartedly for Him. It is not a flippant response to the cross, it is complete dedication to Him and His desires for our lives. Living for Jesus costs us our lives. Not to death, but to dedication. A life dedicated to the Lord is a life worth living. In return for our sacrifice, God will give us full and fulfilled lives.