2 Samuel Chapter 24: Verse 10 (NIV)
David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.”
2 Samuel Chapter 24: Verse 14 (NIV)
David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”
David’s conscience smote him and he confesses his guilt at doing a foolish thing. He hadn’t listened to his commander who had tried to dissuade him from carrying out the census. He came before God for forgiveness and asked God to show him how to make things right. It takes a lot of courage to admit that we have been stupid and seek to put things right. But David did what he needed to do, he put himself into God’s hand and trusted in God’s mercy and grace.
David was not like his predecessor, Saul. When Saul sinned, he was more anxious about keeping up appearances in spite of his sin. David’s concern was putting things right with God.
When we do a foolish thing, the best thing we can do is to come before God, confess our sin and ask for forgiveness. There may be consequences to the actions we have taken, but we can put ourselves into God’s hands and ask for his guidance on making things right. We may end up looking even more foolish as a consequence, but to know God’s mercy and grace is far better than keeping up appearances.
Dear God,
I’m so grateful for Your mercy and grace when I humble myself and come to You for forgiveness when I have been stupid. Help me to be humble enough to listen to the advice of those You send across my path to keep me right, and also not too proud to say I’ve been wrong when I need to. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.