48. Listen to God's voice

Last week we had a look at the mighty men that helped David to reach his goal of becoming king. They weren't valiant, mighty men to start off with, but they became mighty through the power of God helping them to make David king. Today God also supplies mighty men and women in our lives to help us to reach our goals. They might not seem 'mighty' in the eyes of the world at first, but with His strength and power they become mighty to help us on our journey. Do not shun the help that God brings over your path, but be grateful for the people that He sends to help you. You cannot succeed alone.

David was safely on his throne and they had peace on all sides. God helped them to achieve that. Then the Bible tells us that Satan tempted David to sin. David decided to take a census of all the fighting men that he had in all of Israel. He wanted to know the might of his army, without looking to God as the mighty Power behind his army. The sin was therefore that David wanted to glory in his own power and not God's. Joab tried to talk David out of it:

"Now may the Lord your God add to the people a hundred times more than there are, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king desire this thing?" 2 Samuel 24:3

But David wouldn't listen and sent Joab out to count. This took nine months and twenty days. They counted eight hundred thousand valiant men in Israel and five hundred thousand valiant men in Judah. And the Bible tells us that David regretted that he had ordered this census:

"And David's heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the Lord, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O Lord, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly." 2 Samuel 24:10

This is just like David. He quickly repents from sin and turns to God. I love that. He never turns away from God, but always towards Him. No wonder he was a man after God's heart!

Now God had to punish this act of David as Jesus hadn't died yet for their sins. But God in His grace gave David a choice. Either 3 years of famine, 3 months of running from their enemies or 3 days of plague sent by God. David chose the three days of plague. As he said it was better to fall into the hands of God than into the hands of his enemies. Seventy thousand people died in the process. It was a very sad day! David fell before the Lord and asked God to leave the innocent alone and to rather punish him. God then gave instructions through Gad, the prophet that David should offer to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. David immediately listened and did just that. And there the plague stopped.

"And David built there an altar to the Lord and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord heeded the prayers for the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel." 2 Samuel 24:25

And on this spot Solomon built the Temple of the Lord. It was there that God withdrew His threat from the nation. And it was there that David humbled himself and offered prayers for the people. This place became a symbol of offerings and prayers offered in humble obedience.

David always listened when the prophets spoke to him. He was always ready to repent and to do whatever God said through the prophets to rectify things. David had to hear God's Voice through the prophets, because he didn't have His Spirit within him as we do today.

Today we can hear God's voice through His Spirit. But do we listen as David did? Do we act as quickly as he did when God speaks to us? We all have the ability to hear God's voice, but mostly we don't make the time to listen. We rush around, we are kept busy on a daily basis, and we are swamped with so many things cluttering our lives and the sounds around us keep on increasing and the demand on our time keep on screaming at us. And in the process we don't hear God's voice whispering to us. He wants us to calm down, to make time for Him, to hear Him loud and clear. We can if we make the effort. God wants to speak to us, He wants us all to hear His voice, but are we willing to make the time? Are we willing to give up certain things in our lives in order to listen. And when we do hear, do we act and obey as David did? Do we put all things aside and do what the Lord has placed on our hearts? I think we seldom do. We should rather follow David's example and leave everything to follow God and to do what He has told us to do. I can promise you that it will be worth your while.

Father thank you that we can know that You are always talking to us, always whispering Your truths. We simply need to pause and listen. Thank you Father for all Your goodness. We want to slow down and hear Your voice loud and clear. Please help us to do so. Amen

1 comment for “48. Listen to God's voice”

  1. Gravatar of RonelleRonelle
    Posted Monday, 17 May 2021 at 1:03:35 PM

    Wait on Him early in the morning when He speaks to you through the birds welcoming the new day. I always hear Him saying:
    Weetjy, Ekhetjoulief!?
    Do you know that I love you?

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