BY JACK WARD
PASTOR, TOMAHAWK MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
“And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.” 2 Samuel 24:1-2
God at this time was not angry at any particular sin but at the general deterioration of worship in Israel.
Now, what about our nation? We must understand one thing: America is NOT Israel. We are not a nation chosen by God. We are a nation of many Christians. God has only one nation, and that is Israel. But that doesn’t mean that God is not angry with any group of people that turns from God. Especially those who have had the gospel and the word of God and all the advantages we have had as far as knowing God’s word and being taught God’s word. And what about all the Bibles and churches to guide us to know God and what He expects of us?
In 1 Chronicles 21:1, we learned that it was Satan who rose up against Israel and incited David to take the census. From this we should probably assume that God allowed Satan to tempt David into this sin for the purpose of punishing the people.
God allows sin. We chose to sin in the garden of Eden. God allows it for our own growth and knowledge and, yes, sometimes just for our punishment. We learn almost everything by failure. We learn to ride a bike from wrecks. We learn to walk from falling. We learn to speak correctly by not being understood.
The numbering or counting of the people is accepted by David as his own personal sin. It was wrong because it was done with pride and self-glory. But what has our nation done in pride and self-glory? We trust more in our government than we do the Lord. We have pride in our military, and we should, but we have more pride in the military than in the word of God. We welcome soldiers home, and we should. But who welcomes the missionaries home who have retired after years of service to our Lord?
David had to know better. How could He be so stupid? But he did it anyway. Why do we do things that we know are not going to please God at all? Why do congress and the supreme court make laws and rulings that keep the Bible out of schools and the Ten Commandments off our walls? We ought to know better, but we do it anyway. It’s just like we just ignore God completely.
“And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.” (2 Samuel 24:25) God gave David a choice of punishments. David chose to fall under the hand of God. God sent a plague upon the people. Many died. Sin always has death as its main goal.
After the sacrifices on the newly constructed altar, God answered the supplications and stopped the destruction of the plague. God forgave them.
“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Will America ever do that? Probably not. But do you know how you can save America? Running for office? NO. Getting involved? NO. Do you know how you can save America? You – yes, I’m talking to you – you get right with God! You repent of your own sins and you live righteously!
God saves people one person at a time. God will save this nation in response to one person at a time. Your prayers and your faithfulness to His dear cause and your righteous living will cause others to repent of their sin and want to walk with God and will save many, many people looking for someone to show them the way.
Listen to Pastor Jack’s sermons and more at tomahawkmbc.com.