Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 21

 And David said to God, “I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”  1 Chronicles 21.8

Devotional Thought: In today’s chapter, King David starts counting people, and as a direct result 70,000 men of Israel die.  Those of us with mathematical aversions can feel somewhat vindicated by this chapter (see what happens when you try to do math?), but the reality is that there was far more behind the counting than we may immediately see.  The Lord did not instruct or permit David to take this census, but rather Satan incited him to do so… even against the gentle reminders of his top army commander Joab.

Because of David’s sin, the Lord struck the entire nation of Israel.  The conduct and actions of a nation’s leader can have consequences for the entire group.  David recognizes the sin that has caused this tragedy and accepts any consequences that may fall on him and his family.  He pleads for the nation of Israel.  This is a glimpse into David’s heart.  We can also see his heart in his initial reaction to the Lord’s displeasure with the census.  “And David said to God, “I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly,” (v. 8).

Notice David’s choice of words.  He does not ask to be rescued from the consequences of his sin.  Rather, he prays that God would take away his iniquity, confessing his sin with a repentant spirit.  He does not ask to be spared from the consequences of his sin.  Rather, he accepts responsibility for his sin and prays that God would spare the nation of Israel.  Too often we make excuses for our sin, or offer up self-pitying prayers for rescue from the consequences of our own sin.  May our hearts instead be inclined towards confession and repentance!

Jenny

Prayer: Lord, keep us from temptation and sin.  When we do fail, give us hearts that are repentant and anxious to confess sin, that we would be restored to the joy of our salvation.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 44:9-16

9 But you have rejected us and disgraced us and have not gone out with our armies.

10 You have made us turn back from the foe, and those who hate us have gotten spoil.

11 You have made us like sheep for slaughter and have scattered us among the nations.

12 You have sold your people for a trifle, demanding no high price for them.

13 You have made us the taunt of our neighbors, the derision and scorn of those around us.

14 You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples.

15 All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face

16 at the sound of the taunter and reviler, at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.