In 2 Samuel 24, David takes a census of the people. While the census itself was not a sin, and there were times that God told people in the Bible to take a census, this particular census drew the wrath of God. Because we see God get angry, we can assume that David’s motives behind the census is what drew God’s attention. David was putting trust in his military power rather than in the Lord’s protection and guidance. From David’s actions we can learn six things about sin:
There is always motivation behind every sin.
In verse three, we find that when Joab was instructed by David to take the census, Joab asks, “But why does my lord the king desire this thing?” Joab appears to have been concerned about David’s motives, yet he obeys his king and census is taken. Verse 10 also let’s us know that David’s motives were not in the right place: “But David’s heart struck him after he had numbered the people. And David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O Lord, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly.”
God brings conviction with every sin.
As soon as it was completed, the Bible tells us that “David’s heart condemned him.” In other words, he was convicted of his sin. Maybe God placed that concern in Joab’s heart as a “warning sign” to David. However, David ignored it and continued with his plans.
Can you think of a time when you were considering some sin and someone warned you against it? That could have been God sending you a warning sign to reconsider your actions. What did you do? Did you heed the advice of the person God sent or did you, like David, continue with your plans. There is nothing worse than doing something and then immediately afterwards your heart is filled with regret and shame, knowing you have disappointed God yet again.
When we sin, we should repent quickly.
After “David’s heart condemns him,” we see David acknowledging his sin and asking God to take away his iniquity. We don’t know exactly how long it was after the census that David’s heart condemned him. But we do see him seeking God to remove his sin as soon as he realizes his sin.
With sin, comes consequences.
Yes, David asked God to remove his iniquity from him, but God still sent the prophet, Gad to David with God’s message. David was to choose as his consequences between seven years of famine, flee for three months before his enemies while they pursue him, or three days’ plague in the land.
Even when we sin, there is always mercy at the hand of God.
David knew his enemies would have no mercy so he chose to fall into the hand of God, knowing He was a God of mercy. When God sent a plague over Jerusalem to destroy it, David’s knowledge of God’s mercy proved to be correct. The Lord relented and spared the city. However, in the plague God sent, 70,000 people died.
Sin’s effects often ripple out to those around us.
It is interesting that David’s sin was placing his trust in his military might and therefore numbered the people so God’s consequence was to send a plaque that caused 70,000 people to die. David then says to God, “Surely I have sinned, and I have done wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? Let Your hand, I pray, be against me and against my father’s house.” David pleas with God to strike only himself and his family, but sin often has consequences that affect others, especially if the sinner is a leader. When we choose to follow our own plans, our choices affect others and they can get caught up in the consequences of our sin.
Let’s learn from David and be attentive to those God sends us as a warning and heed their words to keep us from sin. Let’s also consider how our choices and actions affect those around us. And when we do sin, let’s repent quickly and fall on the mercy of God and seek his forgiveness.
Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template
Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.
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Download our Free 2021 Bible Memory Verse Plan
We’ve put together 52 memory verses for you to hide God’s Word in your heart! You can download the full document for free and then print a new verse each week and as many copies as you’d like. Each verse prints four times on a page so that you can then cut them into index size cards and place them in prominent places where you will see them frequently throughout the day to help you remember to memorize them. Just because you visited our site, they’re yours for free! Download today.
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Download our Free 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan
With just 30-40 minutes per day, you can read the entire Bible in one year. The One-Year Bible Reading Plan consists of both Old Testament and New Testament readings for each day of the year. The Bible is God’s personal Word to you. What is He saying to you today? Open your Bible and find out!
One Year Bible Reading Plan
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The Self-Care Wheel provides ideas for practicing self-care in six dimensions of yourself: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Sensory, and Social. NOTE: You will need 11X14 paper to print the wheel.
Want to know more about self-care? Our Self-Care blog series targets people who serve in any ministry position and takes a Biblical approach to self-care.
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This week’s featured Christian Tees designs:
God bless the USA and Honor the Sacrifice
Our freedoms come from the sacrifice of many. Memorial day is the day we remember and honor those who sacrificed. It’s also a good time to come together as a nation and pray for God to Bless the USA.
See our graduation tees and products:
Graduating Seniors, Class of 2021, #Done2021, and Tassel worth the Hassle
Once in the store, you can click on the customize tab and add your school name or graduate’s name!
This week’s featured Christian Tees designs:
God bless the USA and Honor the Sacrifice
Our freedoms come from the sacrifice of many. Memorial day is the day we remember and honor those who sacrificed. It’s also a good time to come together as a nation and pray for God to Bless the USA.
See our graduation tees and products:
Graduating Seniors, Class of 2021, #Done2021, and Tassel worth the Hassle
Once in the store, you can click on the customize tab and add your school name or graduate’s name!
The slide show below highlights some of our favorite Christian Tees designs available in our Spreadshop and Teespring stores.
Jesus is our Peace 
Fight on my knees 
Godfidence 
Walk by faith 
I’m only talking to Jesus today 
Known Loved Worthy Enough Chosen Child of God 
2021 Trailer – All things possible – Be still – It’s fine 
Large view 2021 Trailer – All things possible – Be still – It’s fine 
Grace wins 
Living for the world to see Jesus 
Way Maker 
Walk by Faith 
Script Unstoppable God 
Print Unstoppable God 
Unstoppable Force 
Steps of a Good Man 
Something New 
Seek and Find 
Revive Us Again 
Resist the Devil 
Raise a Hallelujah 
Prayer Warrior 
Beloved- Mr and Mrs 
Mr and Mrs – God’s Plan 
Man of God 
He Left 99 for Me 
Cast All Your Cares 
Giants 
Faith over Fear 
Don’t Worry 
Faith Can Move Mountains 
Don’t Quit 
Created to Praise 
All things are Possible 
What the Lord Requires 
All Things New 
Anything is possible 
With my song I will praise Him 
Names of God 
All things are possible 
Run with perseverance 
Blessings head to toe-hearts 
Revive us again, Lord 
Isaiah 41:13 
Blessings head to toe – roses 
Jeremiah 29:11 
Blessings head to toe 
Be Still 
Blessings head to toe – floral 
God’s starting point
Canvas art and posters are available in the Teespring store. Many of our Christian Tees are also available at Teespring.
To see the collection of Canvas and Poster Prints
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God, Love and Marshmallow Wars by Julia M. Bruce
What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?
God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
- Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
- Conversation Starters.
- Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
- Romance Builders.
- Relationship Builders.
- Personal reflections.
- Date ideas.
- Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.
Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.
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