ONE BAD ACCOUNTING
1 Chronicles 21
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 17:40-49
INTRODUCTION
1. David is one of the good guys of Bible history for the most part
a. God calls him a "man after God's own heart"
b. He was, all in all, a good egg
2. But he was not without chinks in his armor
a. One of his greatest mistakes was an accounting error
b. Not that he miscounted the number
c. But that he counted them in the first place
3. David took a census of the people of Israel that God did not desire
4. From his accounting error we learn three things:
a. Human strength is not enough
b. God's wrath is very real
c. Our sacrifice must cost us something
5. Let's learn to lean on God with the understanding that leaning on Him means living for Him and trusting His mercy
TRANSITION: First of all David's mistake shows us that:
I. Human strength is not enough
A. David was proud of his army
1. They were valiant warriors and a large powerful force
a. They won many battles
b. There were many fighting men, 470,000
2. It was not a sin to count
a. We count things everyday
b. The sin was in his pride that drove him to the counting of "his" people
c. Joab tried to persuade David not to take the census in V. 3
3. David's pride would not take a back seat to reason and he insisted that Israel and "his" army be counted
B. Joab was right of course
1. It was the Lord's army, not David's
2. David had really never won a battle, they were all won by God, something David really knew
a. He knew that when he fought Goliath at least
b. 1 Samuel 17:45, "Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied"
c. David knew who was fighting that battle
d. And each of the victories in which he was involved He seeks God's counsel and gives God credit and glory
3. David's major victories were in the Lord's name
4. It was not David's army but God's
C. Thus with us
1. Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God"
2. As with David, we have a role, but it's God's battle and our salvation is His victory
TRANSITION: Another lesson David learned is that:
II. God's wrath is real
A. Many believe that a loving God will not destroy them
1. Tell that to the 70,000 who died as a result of David's unapproved census
a. For such a little thing as counting people God killed 70,000 humans
b. And God claims full responsibility
c. He even gives David a choice:
d. Three years of famine
e. Three months at enemy's hands
f. Three days at the hands of God
2. David counted on the great mercies of God
a. He knew the devastation of famine
b. He knew of the ruthlessness of his enemies
c. He depended on God's punishment to be light because after all, God is a loving merciful God
3. The mercy he counted on left 70,000 widows in Israel
B. God is merciful, that is why we are here today, God's mercy
1. But God is also a vengeful and jealous God, make no mistake
2. Hebrews 10:30-31, "For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God"
3. Our rebellion is based on human pride
a. For that God promises vengeance
b. And His angry hands are a terrifying place to be
C. God loves us and decides our salvation
1. When we choose to reject Him, He is willing to exact His revenge upon us
2. God is capable of condemning us to hell for eternity
3. Let us learn from David's overestimation of God's mercy that God is able to give us the destruction we choose by staying outside of Christ
TRANSITION: Learn finally from David that:
III. Our sacrifice must cost us something
A. The all-powerful God does have compassion
1. That is why we are still alive
2. That is why He sent His son to die for us
3. Even in the midst of all the destruction David brought upon Israel by his pride, God gave him a way to escape
4. He was told to make a sacrifice and when he did God told the angel to put his sword away
B. God sent him to Ornan's threshing floor
1. This floor was probably near or on Mt. Moriah
a. This is the mountain where Abraham was to offer Isaac in Genesis 22:2
b. It is a mountain associated with sacrifice and David would have known its history
2. David was sent to a place where true sacrifice would be understood
a. Abraham placed his only son of promise on the altar and steadied himself to take the life of his boy
b. Ornan offered the threshing floor, the oxen, and the wood for the altar, "take what you need for free" he told David
c. But David answered, "I will not offer a burnt offering to my Lord which cost me nothing."
3. God's mercy cannot be bought but we must make a sacrifice to attain it
a. We must give back to God something of value
b. Our sacrifice must have some worth in service to God and His creation
C. There is no such thing as an unsacrificial sacrifice
1. When we give back to God there must be worth in our actions
2. We sacrifice time and earthly fame for eternal glory in heaven
3. We offer our lips and hearts on earth so we can sing praise to God in heaven
4. We give our lives to gain His immortality
5. Salvation is His gift to you
6. But it must cost you
a. He spent His son so that you could have this gift
b. All he asks in return is obedient service from the recipient of His gift of grace and mercy
CONCLUSION
1. Pride can drive us to a dangerous place in our lives
a. It leads us to rebellion of God
b. Depending on ourselves is the biggest mistake we could make
c. Learn that the battle belongs to the Lord and trust Him for your salvation
2. But do not forget about His jealousy and wrath
a. Your human weakness will never stand against the anger of God
b. He is capable of bringing about your destruction despite what others may believe
c. He destroyed 70,000 in Israel even though David doubted He would
3. Remember that your salvation must be a sacrifice
a. Sacrifice means you give up something of value
b. The extra time at the end of the day is not enough
c. The extra coins in your pocket do not count
d. Give of yourself to God, make a sacrifice that has worth in the lives of God's creation, your fellow man who is lost
4. David had a bad accounting but was able to overcome it
5. One day we will not be able to overcome a bad accounting and many will learn just how devastating God's wrath is
6. Do not find out, make your life a sacrifice on His behalf and enjoy eternity singing praises to Him in heaven
