TRUSTING GOD
II Samuel 24:1, 3
"Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, 'Go number Israel and Judah.' .... And Joab said to the king, ... 'Why does my lord the king desire this thing?' "
This is a good question. Why did David need to number the people? Joab had his faults, but he correctly zeroed in on the motive behind David's decree. There was no need for the census other than pride in the nation's strength and ability to defend themselves against the other nations instead of trusting God. I have the same problem. It is easy to take inventory of my own abilities, strengths, and resources and trust them instead of relying on God. There is a place for prudent assessment of my own state. Even Jesus said that if you are going to build a house, you need to make sure you have the resources to finish it. Or if you go to war, you need to make sure of your ability to win (see Luke 14:28-32). The problem is trusting my own abilities and resources rather than trusting God. If my confidence is in my retirement investments, it is misplaced trust because they can easily disappear. God is my source and I trust Him. After all, His strength is made perfect in my weakness (II Corinthians 12:9). He is more dependable than my own limited resources.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God wants us to trust Him rather than our own abilities.
[end]
Have a trusting day. Love you.
II Samuel 24:1, 3
"Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, 'Go number Israel and Judah.' .... And Joab said to the king, ... 'Why does my lord the king desire this thing?' "
This is a good question. Why did David need to number the people? Joab had his faults, but he correctly zeroed in on the motive behind David's decree. There was no need for the census other than pride in the nation's strength and ability to defend themselves against the other nations instead of trusting God. I have the same problem. It is easy to take inventory of my own abilities, strengths, and resources and trust them instead of relying on God. There is a place for prudent assessment of my own state. Even Jesus said that if you are going to build a house, you need to make sure you have the resources to finish it. Or if you go to war, you need to make sure of your ability to win (see Luke 14:28-32). The problem is trusting my own abilities and resources rather than trusting God. If my confidence is in my retirement investments, it is misplaced trust because they can easily disappear. God is my source and I trust Him. After all, His strength is made perfect in my weakness (II Corinthians 12:9). He is more dependable than my own limited resources.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God wants us to trust Him rather than our own abilities.
[end]
Have a trusting day. Love you.
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