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Putting
It Together. Apparently
Satan knew God was angry with Israel and requested permission to tempt
David to number Israel. God granted him permission. Satan usually
tempts us where we are weak. It appears that David was fearful that
Israel was not strong enough. Why should Satan tempt us where we may
not fail? Satan picked the temptation and David gave in. He counted
Israel and Judah and God responded with discipline. Did Israel and
Judah become proud because of their great population? The census resulted
from fear which is a lack of trust in God.
Conclusion:We
must also remember that Satan is not completely free to do as he pleases.
He must operate within bounds given by God. Scripture does not explain
why God gives Satan any freedom. But we know that God uses him 1)
to discipline some of us when it is needed (1 Timothy 1:20), 2) to
prevent us from sinning when that is the only way (2 Cor. 12:7), 3)
to cause us to grow (example of Job), and 4) to motivate us to not
sin again (Heb. 12:10).
Temptation.
God never forces us to sin and He does not allow us to be overwhelmed
with temptation.
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No
temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and
God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond
what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the
way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.
(NASB) 1 Corinthians 10:13 |
Satan's
temptations can be strong, but our victory over sin is found in the
power of the Holy Spirit. Victory is found in being filled with the
Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:17-18). This is God's will for our life.
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It
is the Spirit of God that is best able to discover Satan's plots
against us; it is only He that can point out all his snares
- Thomas Brooks
Resist
temptation by making prayer of first importance. - John Owen
But
I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not . . . sin. Gal.
5:16 |
Application.
The
great lesson in these passages is that David's fear or insecurity
came as a result of his lack of trust in God. He then, it appears,
sinned by calling for a census and violated other biblical principles.
It may be the men and women of Israel and Judah did not trust God
either. A nation can influence its leadership and the reverse is true
too. In the end, God disciplined him to help him see his sin and to
cause him to trust in God. Was this a growing problem in David's life?
How do we respond to fear and insecurity? Do you count your money,
list your friends, call someone to encourage you, or do you go to
the Lord? Who is the Joab in your life challenging you to depend on
God alone? God wants us to be seeking security only in Him. |
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