2 Samuel 24:14

New International Version (NIV)

David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”

For meditation

We slip and fall sometimes; but some of those times we don’t realize how bad the fall is until later. Many deny they are hurt, and some don’t seem to comprehend the extent of the injury until the ache and pain kick in. Sin has the same tendency in us. There are times we don’t realize how badly we’ve blown it with the Lord. It takes the Holy Spirit’s conviction to get us on our knees.  David may have felt that way after he took roll of the fighting men of Israel (2 Sam. 24:1-9).

Against Joab’s objection and good counsel, David pressed for the census of Israel’s army and prevailed (3-4). Israel was at peace and there was no need for the roll call. Besides, the nation’s strength had never been in the multitude of her army. God had always been their strength, and David himself knew it. So, what got David there?

When God removes His restraining hand from us, we are the most vulnerable of all people. Regardless of our spiritual maturity and determination to remain faithful, it is God’s gracious hand that keeps us from falling. That’s what makes grace so amazing.

 When God took His gracious hand from David, pride took hold of him in a senseless way (1). Thank God David was sensitive to the Spirit of God (10). However, like injury after a physical fall, sin has consequences; and God gave David three options of them (13). Tough choice; but David knew enough to put himself and the nation in God’s hands. He chose God’s great mercy over human treachery and wickedness (14).

1. Where have you falling with the Lord?
2. Are you struggling to acknowledge it?
3. What are you trying to avoid by rationalizing it?
4. Why don’t you be like David and repent (10; Ps. 32:5)?
5. Why should you fall into human hands rather than the merciful hands of God in Christ Jesus?

I pray you remember the Cross of Calvary, on which mercy and grace kissed for our salvation. It stood on that same mountain range where David’s sacrifice stopped the plague, which ensued as a result of his sin. The Cross was the altar for the final sacrifice of Christ Jesus (Jn. 19:30), “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14).

So: May you find mercy and grace in confession; and may you escape the terror and cruelty of humans, as you put yourself into the hands of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

Shalom