David's Census

Recently, I started a band page for my band Highlights on facebook and myspace. Several times I have found myself counting how many people 'like' our band. These were times of idle boredom, which is a very bad, very vulnerable position to be in. It is a fact that "Idle hands are the devil's playthings." My rendition of the quote, and a point of view that takes place later in the process of idleness leading to sin, is "If you had been doing the right thing, you wouldn't have done the wrong thing." This seems simple enough - well really it is. At any rate, the main idea here is that:

  1. David was idle (or so it seems) in the beginning of this passage.
  2. He sinned in the eyes of the LORD.

Now, how in the WORLD did he sin by taking a census? This seems like a fairly routine procedure for a king, right? I should think so. But what matters here - and really everywhere in life - is the HEART. WHY did David take this census? The way I understand it, is that David was suddenly caught up in pride. He was the king of God's chosen people, after all! Think of all his exploits, all he had gone through, all he persevered and survived! He was a total BAD-ASS - if you'll pardon the expression - if you read all of his printed life! Why not just confirm for himself just how great he and his people are? "Take a census, Joab! Count all the fighting men of Israel." Joab, as we see, questions David's orders. I know, for myself, my motives for questioning the king might've been out of trying to avoid performing such a massively tedious procedure. Joab's reasons, however, were because he realized David's intentions, the thoughts of his heart. Sure enough, David repents (Praise God!) and makes sacrifices to the LORD God Almighty! The rest of THAT story is for another thrilling time. :)

But please, I BEG you, take this to heart - all you business owners and other types of founders, consider and put this into practice. Remember with HUMILITY what Jesus said to Pontius Pilate:

"Any power you have has been GIVEN you by My Father in Heaven."

And Paul said:

"Brothers, do not think of yourselves more highly than you ought, but instead consider others better than yourselves."

And we also need not forget what Han Solo said to Luke:

"Don't get cocky, kid."

Give credit Where credit is due. God.

Peace be with you.

Created over 1 year ago