Chose the Mercy of God

Synopsis     2Sam 24:4-14     2/12/2019 

At David’s command, Joab toured the entire kingdom of Israel. And after ten months, he completed the census journey.  

Following the completion of his tour, he reported to King David the results. According to his count, there were eight hundred thousand men in Israel. And there were five hundred thousand men in Judah. And all of these were capable of fighting for the kingdom.  

David immediately felt regret for having counted the people. And, he realized that he had incurred God’s wrath even before the prophet Gad came to him. But when the prophet came, he described three choices of punishment from the Lord.  

Of these, David took the punishment which seemed to him most likely to preserve him in a proximate relationship with God.  

David Chose the Mercy of God 

David chose the form of punishment that kept him most proximate to God. And, he chose against a form of punishment that would leave his fate in the hands of merciless men.  

There is a certain irony in David’s decision. For he knew that men. And though one might expect men to band together in solidarity during hard times, David recognized that men were actually untrustworthy in this regard.  

Conversely, he knew God. And so, he knew that would be merciful. What’s more, he knew that God was so faithful that he could trust in His mercy more than anything.  

I Will Chose the Mercy of God 

I’m always tempted to solve my own problems on my own terms. So, when I’ve sinned, I’m often tempted to solve the problem of my sin on my own. And so, I try to mitigate my sins through my own efforts.

For example; I did some bad,…so I’ll do some good to compensate. I abused a friend,…so I’ll be nice to a stranger to help mitigate my sense of guilt and shame.

But it’s not really the same as seeking the mercy of God. In fact, it’s a denial of God’s creative authority over my life. And the effect of that denial tends to transcend the moments of my “Do-It-Yourself” absolution.  

Of course, like a thoughtful parent, God is patient. But, He can afford to be. For He knows I can’t really do this myself.  

So in the sacrament, I learn slowly the meaning of falling on the rock, before the rock crushes me.  

“The one who falls on this stone will be dashed to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.” Matt 21:44