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Daily Devotions

Our Response to Personal Sin

By May 8, 2014No Comments

Read 1 Chronicles 19 – 21

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. 1 Chronicles 21:16-17 KJV

When David lifted his eyes he saw a terrifying sight: the angel of the Lord with a sword stretched over Jerusalem to execute judgment. This had come because of David’s sin of pride (numbering the people), a sin that others had warned him against, and now the whole nation suffered because of it. As shepherd of the flock of Israel his decisions and actions were to help the nation, but instead he brought great harm upon them. We should never think our sins only affect us; they always hurt others. Seeing the consequence of his sin David responded swiftly in humble prayer and confession. His four-fold response is helpful to make note of: (1) He confessed his sin [I commanded the people]. (2) He accepted personal punishment for his sin [let thy hand be upon me]. (3) He threw himself on God’s mercy [verse 13]. (4) He pleaded with God in behalf of them affected by his sin.

Lord, protect me from persistence in sin, especially when others warn me against it. I realize sin in my life not only affects me but hurts those touched by my life as well. When I do sin, help me to see the seriousness of it and respond to You swiftly in humble prayer.

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