1 Chronicles chapter 20 verses 1-7 (NIV)
Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.”But Joab replied, “May the Lord multiply his troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all my lord’s subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?” The king’s word, however, overruled Joab; so Joab left and went throughout Israel and then came back to Jerusalem. Joab reported the number of the fighting men to David: In all Israel there were one million one hundred thousand men who could handle a sword, including four hundred and seventy thousand in Judah. But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, because the king’s command was repulsive to him. This command was also evil in the sight of God; so he punished Israel.
Joab did his best to dissuade David from taking a cencus. He was overruled but he managed to only partially do as God commanded. But David had disobeyed God in this matter.
The important lesson for us to note here is that David’s actions and God’s response impacted the whole of Israel. David’s disobedience impacted his people. We often quote the reference about a body having many parts. But those many parts don’t exist in isolation. Our actions impact our church family. If we don’t play our part that has an affect on the work of the whole church. Let’s not be responsible for delaying or stopping the work of God in our church family. Conversely our obedience can impact and encourage.
Dear Lord,
Help me to remember that my life doesn’t exist in isolation. In my obedience make me an encouragement to others in Your house. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.