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Daily Devotions

God, Satan, and Pride

By April 11, 2014No Comments

Read 2 Samuel 22 – 24

And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go number Israel and Judah. 2 Samuel 24:1 KJV

To fully understand this passage it must be considered with the rest of Scripture. God cannot sin and will not cause us to (James 1:13). According to 1 Chronicles 21:1 it was Satan that actually prompted David to number the people in pride. Joab recognized this immediately, sought to discourage the action, and encouraged him to look to God instead (24:3). God caused David to commit this sin only in the sense that He allowed it. We must not mistake God’s permissive will for His perfect will. David was responsible and that is why God punished him and the nation for his sin. When we are prompted to sin, God may allow it but He does not cause it. The responsibility is ours. Once David proudly numbered the people, his heart condemned him, and he confessed it (24:10). Too often, it is only after we experience the consequences of our sin that we then see the error of it.

Lord, before anything else happened pride was already in David’s heart. It seemed that everyone else could see it but him. Protect me from such sinful blindness. Help me know the sinful desires of my heart. Help me listen when others point it out. Help me look to You instead of listening to Satan. I want Your perfect will, not Your permissive will.

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