S) "11 So Gad came to David and said to him, 'Thus says the Lord, "Take for yourself 12 either three years of famine, or three months to be swept away before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the Lord, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the territory of Israel." Now, therefore, consider what answer I shall return to Him who sent me.'"
1 Chronicles 21:11-12 (NASB)
O) This story has interesting things to say about disciplinary methods, but I have to leave them alone, because there is another important issue at hand, about the will of God.
This is a very intriguiging concept; our own free will, as compared to the will of the LORD. What's illustrated here, is that God's will is not always as simple as a yes/no, pass/fail, open/closed scenario. There is a description of God's will, being defined as His "perfect will" and "permissible will" that seems to be manifested here. By giving David three options, it seems that there are a few circumstances that could be at work.
a) God doesn't care which option David chooses.
b) God considers the options to range in varying degrees of bad to good.
c) God considers all three choices to be equally good.
It seems that we can easily discard (a) because that is inconsistent with the LORD's character. Why would he discipline at all if He didn't care? I also think we can probably discard (c) because of the consequences on the lives of the kingdom that hang in the balance, and I cannot imagine that all of the rippling effects on these lives are equal. I'm pretty sure that leaves us with (b). That really brings us to the biggest question. How do we proceed when we do not know, with certainty, the will of the LORD.
A) This is very much like the parable of the talents (see Matthew 25:14-30). I must also remember that God says He declares the end from the beginning (see Isaiah 46:9-11). Really, I'll either make the right choice, or God's grace is sufficient for my mistakes, and His mercy is new every day. In either case, God knows which decision I'll make, and He still presents a choice. Like David, I will face choices that require action. I won't be able to bury my talents out of fear. So, I need to seek the LORD first, constantly. Then, when confronted with a decision, I need to take whatever time I have, to seek His will. Finally, when I must act, I will act in faith and trust in Him.
This is a very intriguiging concept; our own free will, as compared to the will of the LORD. What's illustrated here, is that God's will is not always as simple as a yes/no, pass/fail, open/closed scenario. There is a description of God's will, being defined as His "perfect will" and "permissible will" that seems to be manifested here. By giving David three options, it seems that there are a few circumstances that could be at work.
a) God doesn't care which option David chooses.
b) God considers the options to range in varying degrees of bad to good.
c) God considers all three choices to be equally good.
It seems that we can easily discard (a) because that is inconsistent with the LORD's character. Why would he discipline at all if He didn't care? I also think we can probably discard (c) because of the consequences on the lives of the kingdom that hang in the balance, and I cannot imagine that all of the rippling effects on these lives are equal. I'm pretty sure that leaves us with (b). That really brings us to the biggest question. How do we proceed when we do not know, with certainty, the will of the LORD.
A) This is very much like the parable of the talents (see Matthew 25:14-30). I must also remember that God says He declares the end from the beginning (see Isaiah 46:9-11). Really, I'll either make the right choice, or God's grace is sufficient for my mistakes, and His mercy is new every day. In either case, God knows which decision I'll make, and He still presents a choice. Like David, I will face choices that require action. I won't be able to bury my talents out of fear. So, I need to seek the LORD first, constantly. Then, when confronted with a decision, I need to take whatever time I have, to seek His will. Finally, when I must act, I will act in faith and trust in Him.
P) Father, give me courage to make bold decisions. I know that You give a spirit of power and love and discipline, not timidity, according to 2 Timothy 1:7. I will put my trust in You, and believe that when You ask me to make a decision, You know what You're doing. Help make me into a man of action, God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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