*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*VICTORY BELONGS TO GOD.*
*Scripture Treasure.*
1 Chron 21:1 ► *And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.*
2 Samuel 24:1 ► *Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He stirred up David against them, saying, "Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
God's anger opens one up to satanic attacks.
*Scripture Commentaries.*
Satan's provocation and his hostile influence on David is attributed to God's anger.
In our scripture today, we see how God's anger can pursue someone to destruction.
David was a man of war and through him, great military achievements were recorded in Israel. His military exploits were unmatched in Biblical history.
Combatants attribute military success to themselves, so did David. He failed to remember that victory is not attributed to human efforts, but to God.
We must be very careful in managing success. God sees our hearts.
Safety, victory, success, all belong to God.
They are not negotiable!
If God's wrath provoked David to number Israel, it can only have been in consequence of evil thoughts of pride and self-sufficiency, which had intruded into a heart that refused to humbly rely upon its Maker.
Whether large or small number, neither should be used as proof or evidence of success.
1 Sam 14:6 ► *And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.*
God loves census, ref Numb 1:3, 45-46.
David's heart, however, was to occasion his victory by the number of people he felt he had put together, not by God's grace and help.
God can use small things to a small number to achieve great plans. He used a 300 man army to destroy the Midianites in the days of Gideon, so that neither Gideon or the army could brag!, Judges 7.
David's attitude here can be explained in the same breath as in Rom 1:18; Romans 1:24; Romans 1:26; Romans 1:28.
These passages are cross references to explain God's wrath on David and the nation, Israel.
David, *"Professing....to be wise,... became fools,...*, ref Rom 1:22.
*For this cause, God gave him up unto *"...vile affections..."*, ref Rom 1:26.
So he did *"...those things which are not convenient...."*, ref Rom 1:28.
*Remorse corner*
We must be very careful what entails in our hearts. Success, when badly managed, brings a false sense of self esteem and importance.
*Call to Word action*
God allowed David's prideful motive to open doors to God's judgment.
*The Christian clarion duty.*
Search your motives and hearts daily.
*Prayer*
Proverbs 21:31 ► *The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.*
Lord, l ascribe and return all glory to you in Jesus name.
Good morning all and have a blessed day.
God bless you.