SIN’S DESTRUCTIVE IMPACT

SIN’S DESTRUCTIVE IMPACT

So the LORD sent a pestilence on Israel, and 70,000 men of Israel fell. —I Chronicles 21:14

            David commanded Joab and the commanders of the army to number the fighting men. This was something David was not supposed to do— “I have sinned greatly by doing this. Now, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing (I Chronicles” (21:8). They had already counted all the fighting men except from the tribe of Levi and Benjamin. The number came to 1,570,000. For this disobedience the nation would experience the “sword of the Lord” by three days of pestilence.

            Seventy-thousand men died in 3 days because of David’s disobedience— about 3½% of the fighting men died. This was a judgment from God. David’s sin had a huge impact on the nation. Let us not think that our sin does not have an impact on others. It does in more ways than we can imagine.   Our sin affects the local church and the universal church— the church is the body of Christ— all believers.   In fact “This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome” (I John 5:2-3). I show my love for God’s people and God Himself through obedience.

            Let us have a healthy “fear of the Lord.” What does that look like? “To fear the Lord is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13). If I do not hate evil then I do not fear the Lord!   “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9). So as we walk through today let us “do what pleases him” (I John 3:22). Yes Dear Father may this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcE1di1Wtl0