Read: 2 Samuel 23:24-24:25; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 16:21-23
We are not told exactly why God was mad at Israel but I’m sure it had to do with their hearts. God wanted to have a tangible reason to judge them so he had David count the people. It wasn’t numbering the people that was a sin, but when they were numbered they were suppose to give a half a shekel to the sanctuary. (Ex. 30:13) David’s pride had gotten the best of him. Joab didn’t think it was a good idea so he didn’t complete the task but it was enough for God to judge. David knew when the numbers came in that he had sinned and repented of what he had done. God sent Gad, the prophet to give David his consequences and gave him a choice: seven years of famine, three months of war or three days of pestilence. David chose to fall into God’s hand of pestilence banking on God’s mercy. He chose wisely and God did relent right at the place where the temple of Jerusalem would be built. This sin cost Israel 70,000 men and the piece of land cost David 50 shekels of silver. Fifty is the number of grace tested and silver stands for redemption. Israel was redeemed.
In Acts, God gave Peter another platform and he took it. Peter and John were on their way to the temple and passed by a man who begged by the temple every day…but today was different. The spirit of God was present to heal and they felt it. When the beggar asked for money, Peter told him that he didn’t have money but something so much better. He gave that. He told the man to stand up and walk and he did. This gave Peter the crowd he needed to preach what God wanted said to all the people.
God does that for us too. He presents a situation where we will have an opportunity to proclaim his name. If we take it, he will do the rest. All we need is to hear, respond and watch.
Lord, help us to hear, respond, and watch what you are doing.
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