A MERCIFUL CHOICE

A MERCIFUL CHOICE

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn, —Luke 2:1-7

So Gad went to David and said to him, “Shall there come on you three years of famine in your land? Or three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you? Or three days of plague in your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should answer the one who sent me.” 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.” So the Lord sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died, —II Samuel 24:13-15

            We see in the verses at the top our Lord using government to put Joseph and Mary right where He wanted them in His plans and purposes. It was a census that moved them into position just at the right time and in the right place for Jesus to be born as foretold in God’s Word.

            So it is with us in this present situation. In His plans and purposes our Lord has placed us right where we are at the right time for His plans and purposes. Now, we need to look at what He is doing and join in with Him— serving as He desires. Let us be listening to Him and be obedient to what He desires at this time.

            In the bottom verses above we see David was given a choice. He was to choose which consequence would take place as a judgment to his disobedience. His choices were 1-three years of famine 2- three months of fleeing from enemies while they pursue or 3- three days of plague in the land. David was in deep distress and yet he chose to “fall into the hands of the Lord, for His mercy is great.” David did not want to “fall into human hands” because he knew that man’s mercy is not great. So David chose three days of plague.

            During this time let us be thankful that our Lord has chosen plague. He could have brought famine. He could have brought war. But He brought plague. Yes, people may be in distress, but it is better to be in the Lord’s hands and not in man’s! And let us remember that our Lord’s mercy is great. Let us call out to Him for His mercy.

            That does not mean people will not die. There are huge consequences for our disobedience to the Lord individual, as a nation and as a world-wide people. This is a wake-up call to His Church and to the world. Now, brothers and sisters, let us be and do what He desires.   That is a huge part of what this corona virus is all about.

Thank You Dear Father for Your mercy. May we see this through what is happening. We call on You for mercy. We call on You to help us be faithful. We call on You to draw many people to Yourself. We call on You to bring honor and glory to Your Name. Oh, that we would live in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it!