- But the king’s word prevailed against Joab and the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army went out from the presence of the king to number the people of Israel. 2 Samuel 24:4 – My wife and I have a saying concerning the people we allow to be a voice in our life, we say “they have a seat at our table.” Meaning those who are at our “table” are the ones we’ve welcomed the input of, trust their wisdom, and believe they have our best in mind. When someone at our table speaks to us, we handle their voice in our lives far differently than someone who hasn’t been given a seat at our table of life. In David’s story, he not only didn’t have the right people at his table, he welcomed the wrong person to his table. Joab and all of David’s commanders were seeking to turn David from his decision from counting the nation, something they knew the Lord would be unhappy with. Yet instead David listened to “his” incitement instead. 1 Chronicles 21:1 gives us further details and the “he” in verse one is actually Satan himself. So David had the wrong person at his table who he listened to and the right people giving him holy, loving advice were pushed away from his table. How about you? Who is at your table? Who are you allowing to be voices in your story that you listen to the input and wisdom of and act accordingly? If those voices are of the God honoring, God loving, scripture following, and loving of you people in your life, then those are solid voices to have at your table. How often though are you finding yourself listening more to the voice of your enemy, and the voices of the people that ought to be at your table are rejected? Take time today to assess who is at your table today. Find freedom in knowing that if someone isn’t at your table, like the enemy, you don’t have to give their voice a place of influence in your life anymore – Mac – Daily DEVO 3043
- 2 Samuel 24 Daily DEVO “But David’s heart struck him after he had numbered the people. And David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O Lord, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly.” 2 Samuel 24:10 – What was the problem with David numbering his people? It was David’s pride. See up until now David had made it clear that he was putting all his trust in God alone for his success, yet this numbering of his people was showing his new place he was putting his trust in, his army size. Where are you putting your trust in for your success? Clearly we see in this passage that God only approves of us placing our trust in Him. Our talents, our money, our people, those things shouldn’t be where we place our trust. Check yourself today to see where you are placing your trust in. What are you relying on to get you through till tomorrow? Whether it’s tomorrow or even the afterlife, make sure it’s God that you’re relying on. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 455
- Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.” 2 Samuel 24:1 – An important thing to note here in this passage is the “he” in he incited David isn’t God. We see in 1 Chronicles 21:1 that it was actually Satan doing the tempting here that led David to act sinfully. Our enemy loves to take advantage of us in any season he can. He especially loves to come at us in our seasons where we feel distant from God. Learn from this passage that our enemy’s goal is to expand the gap between us and God. In any way he can and every time he can if he can make us feel further away from our Heavenly Father he will. Know these sort of attacks are coming. Know God though isn’t going to leave you defenseless. Notice how in this story before the sin was done and even after the mistake had been made God offered David people to help guide him in God’s ways. While attacks are a sure thing, God’s help in our story is even more sure. God will offer us a way out of temptation, people to walk with us, and He’ll even make clear the path back to Him when we walked away. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1883
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