18th.: Lord, You Pick
David should have listened to Joab, and pass on taking the census.
But now, God gave David the choice of three punishments.
All three choices involved many people losing their lives (Leaders have a great responsibility).
What a choice.
This is how King David answered, “And David said unto Gad, ‘I am in a great strait.
Let us fall now into the hands of the Lord, for his mercies are great, and let me not fall into the hand of man.” (2nd Sam. 24:14).
David implied that he did not want a war, “let me not fall into the hand of man.” (2nd Sam. 24:14c).
David asked God to show mercy. The Lord picked a plague of disease, showing mercy by punishing in the quickest way possible - three days, according to the calender.
Later, when David saw the destroying angel, he said to the Lord, “Lo, I have sinned and I have done wickedly.
But these sheep, what have they done? Let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father’s house.” (2nd Sam. 24:17).
Seeing innocent people die, grieved David, especially since he was the cause.
David's contriteness seemed to have helped move God to back-off on the plague.
When we approach God with a contrite spirit, helps to 'make God listen to us' more.
“The Lord saves such as be of a contrite spirit.” (Ps. 34:18b)