The Faith of David on Trial by Gerald Van Horn
Text. Hebrews 11:32-33, 2 Samuel 24:24
Introduction. What a strange passage of Scripture we have before us concerning David’s faith. David knew he had sinned in numbering the people therefore he needed to make a sacrifice for his sin. Araunah, the
Jebuisite offers David a sacrifice for nothing to David. Thus we come to David’s statement in our text in 2 Samuel. May we learn a valuable lesson from the life of King David.
1. David’s faith caused him to make a promise to God. To David the cost did not matter it was what would please the Lord. We find others in the Bible who made and honored a promise to God. Hannah made a promise to the Lord. (I Samuel 1:27-28). Jeremiah made a promise to the Lord.(Lamentation 3:24). Jonah made a promise to God. (Jonah 2:2-9) Habakkuk made a promise to God. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)
In our journey in life we also make promises to God. The promises must be a heart-felt declaration of our faith. Actions speak louder then words. How often do we keep those promises?
2. David believed that God would honor David’s promise. David’s pride caused him to number the people. How sad to see God’s chosen trusting and glorying in numbers. It grieves the heart of God when it happens. David was quick to acknowledge his sin and seek God’s forgiveness. Psalms 33:16-22. I do not believe that God is advocating that we do not number our people or even put them on a church roll. The sin would be when minister take all the credit when the credit belongs to God. Jesus said I will build my church. We must give credit to God for all that we do, (I have noticed that even when Sermon Central reports the growth of its sight that they are quick to give God the glory) God bless S.C.
3. David’s faith caused him to humble himself before the Lord. In vrs.11-13 we see that the Lord forgave David only after he humbled himself. It was said that David was a man after God’s own heart. Here is why such a statement was made about David. His faith really comes to the surface. He wanted to please the Lord above all else. His motive was pure and right. Let us search our hearts as well. Are our motives pure and right before the Lord? We must guard our words and our actions before the Lord.
4. David’s faith produced a right and pure motive before the Lord. We learn from the text that God’s ways are far better then man’s ways. Psalms 14:12, 16:25 says, “There is a way that seemeth right to man but the end thereof is death.” There is only one way to approach God and that is in the light of Calvary.
Lessons to be learned: (1) We must give our all to the Lord. (2) We must be obedient. (3) We must give God praise and glory for all things.(4) What we do must be in the light of God’s sacrifice of His Son the Lord Jesus. The altar of God is long and reaches everywhere and to everyone. Seek the Lord with all your heart and you will be found.
