Free Will 04.20.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Sunday April 20, 2008 and today we are completing our study on the book of II Samuel. Please read Chapters 23-24 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Samuel%2023-24&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the last words of David; his last recorded sin; David building an altar; his sacrifice; and the three-day plague. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that God blesses us with the free will to follow Him.

The last words of David, "Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow. But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands: But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place." (II Samuel 23:1-7).

David never lost a battle in his 40-year reign. Although he had often prayed for the Lord's direction during his early years of conquest, his desire at this time to take a census of his army was obviously not based on any threat by invaders and it resulted in a three-day plague which killed 70,000 people. When we ignore the Word of God, Satan is quick to suggest wrong thoughts, as he did with David. From the standpoint of the absolute sovereignty of God over everything, including Satan, we read. "And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.....And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.....And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel." (II Samuel 24:1-2,9-10,25).

It would be inconceivable for God to actually force David to commit this sin and then, before the census was completed, to destroy 70,000 people because of it . The Holy Spirit directed the writing of II Samuel to let us see that everyone is under the sovereign will of God but that He allows us to stubbornly go our own way, for He will not violate our free will.

There is no record that taking a census was prohibited. But the Law did state, "When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them. This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD." (Exodus 30:12-13). Because of this violation, a plague spread over the land. David's tragic experience is a reminder of how important it is that we pray one for another that we follow His will. "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21).

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through the silver which David used to purchase the threshing floor upon which he built an altar unto the Lord (II Samuel 24:24-25). Silver symbolizes Christ's redemption offered for all, " (Jedas) And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver." (Matthew 26:15).

Today's Psalm: 54:6
"I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good."

Have a great and wonderful Sunday!
God Bless,
Christina

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