I Chronicles 21:30
“But David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was terrified by the sword of the angel of the LORD.”
There aren’t many times in one’s life in which they are terrified. I can recall one. My fear was so great that I was contemplating something that would have caused great harm to escape it. David was observing a destroying angel with his sword drawn. David was a skilled warrior. This was a fighting angel that terrified him.
Experiences like this change a person. David was living as if he was omnipotent in his kingdom. He casually ordered a census. He wasn’t worried about the consequences. It was a sin, but he wasn’t concerned. God sent this angel to punish his sin. He’s scared now. David is seeing a more accurate picture. God is in control. He has resources that we aren’t aware of.
I Corinthians 13:9 says, “For we know in part and prophesy in part”. We only have a small bit of knowledge. Matthew 5:3 adds to that, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” We are blessed if we see how limited and sinful we are. David didn’t feel limited when he sinned. After seeing the angel and the consequences he does.
He needed to see the angel. He needed to see God as He is. David feared God, but he was going through a period in which that lessened. We also know in part. It’s important that we understand that. David needed to see the angel. It’s better if we learn it from scripture or from others, than to have to experience this. Sometimes we need it.
I know the punishment is great, but God is being merciful to David. He isn’t destroying him. He is teaching him. It was impactful. Romans 15:4 says, “For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.” David went through this so we would learn from Him. God is being merciful and loving to us.
Exodus 20:18 shares an interesting experience, “When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance”. They trembled. We need to fear God. It instills in us a need to obey Him.
Some live without any regard to Him. They see God as insignificant. They don’t realize their poverty of spirit. We also know that God loves them and seeks to reach them. He is just, so there would have been plenty of attempts to reach them. We hope they heed His warnings.
Lord, help us to fear You. Help us to heed Your words and the experiences You provide us.