The Ways Of God Are Rather Interesting
So David paid Araunah six hundred shekels of gold for the site. David built an altar to the LORD there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. He called on the LORD, and the LORD answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering.
. . . The tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were at that time on the high place at Gibeon. But David could not go before it to inquire of God, because he was afraid of the angel of the LORD.
Then David said, "The house of the Lord God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel."
So David gave orders to assemble the foreigners residing in Israel, and from among them he appointed stonecutters to prepare dressed stone for building the house of God. He provided a large amount of iron to make nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings, and more bronze than could be weighed. He also provided more cedar logs than could be counted, for the Sidonians and Tyrians had brought large numbers of them to David. I Chronicles 21:25-22:4
. . . The tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were at that time on the high place at Gibeon. But David could not go before it to inquire of God, because he was afraid of the angel of the LORD.
Then David said, "The house of the Lord God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel."
So David gave orders to assemble the foreigners residing in Israel, and from among them he appointed stonecutters to prepare dressed stone for building the house of God. He provided a large amount of iron to make nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings, and more bronze than could be weighed. He also provided more cedar logs than could be counted, for the Sidonians and Tyrians had brought large numbers of them to David. I Chronicles 21:25-22:4
The ways of God are rather interesting. David sinned against God by counting the fighting men of Israel over and above the objections of his military commanders; knowing very well that what he was about to do was evil in the sight of God. Perhaps, one could explain this by remembering that this sin of David came about because he was incited by Satan. The Scriptural account should not be overlooked: "Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. (1 Chronicles 21:1) Satan came at Israel through God's own man David.
Satan always has a long term view of things. As our adversary and avowed opponent of our God, his attacks are quite comprehensive in execution. Satan always attacks to inflict maximum damage not just on the individual through whom the initial sin is manifested, but even more so on the family, community, Church or nation to which the person belongs. When those broad-faceted attacks of Satan are unleashed, it is imperative that we understand the measureless power, authority and ability of our God to work all things out for our individual good, as well as His overall divine agenda.
That is the broader picture that grips my mind as I reflect over the statement: Then David said, "The house of the LORD God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel."
Israel at the time was offering sacrifices to God at a different location in Gibeon where the tent of Moses was kept. But, out of the sin of David, which caused him to buy Araunah's threshing floor, as specifically directed by God Himself, a new piece of real estate was located for the magnificent temple that was to be built to offer sacrifices to God! This property was divinely selected by God. David was only an instrument in its acquisition. That property would never have been acquired had Satan not incited David to sin against God! In the end, God always wins!
Question: Have you really missed the mark in some area of your life? Has some sin or bad decision led you to be rather fearful of even approaching God? Listen: It might well be that out of that experience, God is about to direct your steps to a totally new place and level of existence that would cause you to see exactly where he wants you to "set up an altar" for Him. Out of your "sin" God could well be directing you to the exact thing He has called you to do! Just open your eyes and trust Him. You will certainly realize that His plans were to accomplish something incredible all along. The ways of God are rather interesting!
Satan always has a long term view of things. As our adversary and avowed opponent of our God, his attacks are quite comprehensive in execution. Satan always attacks to inflict maximum damage not just on the individual through whom the initial sin is manifested, but even more so on the family, community, Church or nation to which the person belongs. When those broad-faceted attacks of Satan are unleashed, it is imperative that we understand the measureless power, authority and ability of our God to work all things out for our individual good, as well as His overall divine agenda.
That is the broader picture that grips my mind as I reflect over the statement: Then David said, "The house of the LORD God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel."
Israel at the time was offering sacrifices to God at a different location in Gibeon where the tent of Moses was kept. But, out of the sin of David, which caused him to buy Araunah's threshing floor, as specifically directed by God Himself, a new piece of real estate was located for the magnificent temple that was to be built to offer sacrifices to God! This property was divinely selected by God. David was only an instrument in its acquisition. That property would never have been acquired had Satan not incited David to sin against God! In the end, God always wins!
Question: Have you really missed the mark in some area of your life? Has some sin or bad decision led you to be rather fearful of even approaching God? Listen: It might well be that out of that experience, God is about to direct your steps to a totally new place and level of existence that would cause you to see exactly where he wants you to "set up an altar" for Him. Out of your "sin" God could well be directing you to the exact thing He has called you to do! Just open your eyes and trust Him. You will certainly realize that His plans were to accomplish something incredible all along. The ways of God are rather interesting!
Prayer: Lord, there are many times when I am fearful because I have greatly disappointed you. But please help me to understand that you are more than able to bring something magnificent out of my errors, mistakes and sins. I love you Lord. Amen.