I Chronicles 21:1
‘Then Satan stood up against Israel and incited David to count Israel. So Davidsaid to Joab and to the leaders of the people, “Go, count Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me word so that I may know their number.”‘
There aren’t many places in scripture where Satan’s purposes are spelled out so directly. I wouldn’t have thought this would be wrong. Particularly as Jesus said to count the cost. I could also see where it’s wrong. God had clearly been blessing Israel and giving them victories. He has David’s entire life starting in his youth when he killed the lion and the bear.
By counting his fighting force he is putting dependance on how big his army is. This isn’t where his trust is to be. David did sin with Bathsheba. This appears to be his second big one.
This is breaking the first commandment, “I am the Lord, thy God. You shall have no gods before me.” There are things in our lives that seek to replace God. He works in us to keep those things in balance. Pastor Chuck Smith would say, “Don’t keep a strong grip on things.” Be willing to loosen it or to let it go. Sometimes things have to be denied, other times done without for a while and other times the grip has to be adjusted.
Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, ‘Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”‘ I used to be afraid that God would take away anything fun. That’s far from the case. God wants to bless our lives and for us to have joy. We have to be willing to adjust.
He is to be our lord. If we have a problem with that then we don’t know God. Hebrews 11:6 gives a great definition of faith, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” This is huge. God greatly rewards those that seek Him. I didn’t know that as a young christian.
The denomination I was raised in had a great emphasis on sacrifice. It appeared the more glum one was the more holy they were. I had a sense that God was insatiable. About four or so years into being born again I learned about grace. I couldn’t believe it. The pressure lifted. Unfortunately it took years for it to sink in. Old habits die hard. I would re-listen to tapes to get that grace back. In time it stuck.
It’s about a relationship with God and how He is good and generous. It wasn’t just me working on this problem. It was the Holy Spirit working in me. He is a master Counselor. Better than any psychologist.
Back to the topic at hand. God does want to be our Lord and we are to trust Him. There are some things that are out of bounds. While some things are not sin, they may be sin to us at a point in our lives. That is what it means to have an active dynamic relationship with God. Abraham and Isaac are an example. Abraham loved and enjoyed his son. However, God asked him to give him up. Abraham was willing to do so. Once that was demonstrated, their relationship went back to normal.
Walking with God is such a blessing. Just keep a light touch on things. Give things up when asked or moderate their place in our lives. It is great to allow Him to be lord. He will give us more and more and more. Thank You, Lord.