Message Title: Satan's Ignorant Devices
Date: Wednesday May 18, 2011
Chapters: I Chronicles 21-23
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-may-18
Details of Today's Reading: David’s sin in numbering the people, Joab’s faithful protest, David’s chooses the punishment, David prepares the material used to build the Temple, David instructs Solomon in God’s promises, the princes are called to assist Solomon, and the number and distribution of the Levites.

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” - II Corinthians 2:8-11.

Of all the people Satan messes with most it is God's faithful servants, there is not one of God's children that Satan does not try to destroy. While he can not destroy any of God's children, he can do a very good job at taking advantage of them, especially when it comes to seeking forgiveness for sins committed. Satan deceives people into thinking that God will never forgive them, but God's mercy is far greater than any of Satan's ignorant devices.

David was probably one of the most godliest kings of all nations, even today, but as strong as his faith in God was David was just as human as the rest of us who are all born with a sin nature. Sooner or later Satan will get the best of us and this time he got David.

“And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it. And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel? Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.” - I Chronicles 21:1-4.

Even with Joab's warning David still numbered the people, this was a sin based on Mose's Law which did state that every person counted was to be compensated for, which David did not do (See Exodus 30). Often God will allow Satan to tempt us, the temptation is not a sin, acting up the temptation is sin. I have seen so many people, including myself, ignore the warnings of temptation, and fall right into sin, but once that thought turns to action the consequences are our own, we can not escape the chastisement. “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” - I Peter 4:16,17.

After the sin was committed the quilt of it set in, David immediately knew he sinned, but the damage was done, he had to choose which form of punishment that Israel would have to endure for his sin.

“And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel. And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly. And the LORD spake unto Gad, David's seer, saying, Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.” - I Chronicles 21:7-10.

The amazing thing about God is His mercy, as God was about to bring judgment upon Israel for David's sin, David begged God not to take it out on them, but judge him instead. While seventy thousand people did die as a result of a plague, the rest of Israel was saved because David asked God for his forgiveness and God Himself withdrew His judgment.

“And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces. And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued. Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.” - I Chronicles 21:16-18.

The command for David to build an altar was a blessed token of reconciliation with God. God testified His acceptance of David's offerings on this altar. Thus Christ was made sin, and a curse for us, it pleased the Lord to bruise Him, that through Him, God might be to us, not a consuming Fire, but a reconciled God. “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled” - Colossians 1:19-21.

Although God can become angry and make us suffer and allows Satan to cause evil upon us, He is still a loving God and wants the best for us. He allows these things because He knows that we are much stronger than we think we are or that we are liars and really are not sincere in seeking forgiveness. When we are sincere, God can be persuaded to lessen the suffering. We do not have to let Satan take advantage of us, we can overcome all his ignorant devices that cause us to fall into temptation. The key to overcoming Satan is Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone.

“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus... I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” - Philippians 4:5-7,13.

Jesus Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through David who wanted to protect the sheep. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who protects all His sheep. “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.“ - John 10:11.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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