2 Samuel 24:25
“Then David built there an altar to the LORD, and he offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. And the LORD responded to prayer for the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel.”
David feared the Lord. He sinned by enacting the census, he repented, sought the Lord, took the consequences, built and altar, sacrificed to the Lord and He withdrew the plague. This is what one does who fears the Lord. He follows through with obedience. God honors this and takes away the heaviness and the consequences.
What a great God. He points out the issues and shows a way. I John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." That's the order, confession, forgiveness and cleansing.
The devil will seek to confuse this simple process. He'll tell us, "You just committed this sin. You must not have meant your repentance. Therefore, God isn't obligated to forgive." Our own selves will condemn us. That will happen. But I John 3:20 says, "that if our heart should condemn us, that God is greater than our heart, and He knows all things." Some times our consciences are wrong. God is greater than our faulty consciences.
God removes the consequences and brings peace. Philippians 4:7 says, "And the peace of God, surpassing all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." That blessed peace. It doesn't make sense, but His peace remains. We can have peace in the storm.
The forces against God are too strong for us. Matthew 21:44 says, "And the one having fallen on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." This is referring to Jesus, the Chief Corner Stone. If we submit to Him, it's as if we are falling on it. We will be broken. This sounds bad, but it's what we need. We submit to Him and He gives us a new heart, brakes bad habits and we live for Him. If we resist Him, in the end we would be crushed and doomed. All of the world will end and He will be the judge. We don't have to worry about the forces of evil far greater than us. Psalm 91:7 says, "Though a thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, no harm will come near you." We could never defeat that great of an enemy, but He can.
Thank You, Lord, for fighting our battles. Even though we make mistakes and sin, You forgive and can restore. Help us not to sin, but to stay close. Thank You for Your might and Your peace.