Even God called for censuses, but his motive went to the crux of the three great temptations.
The first balances materialism against principle.
The second balances fear of God against self-interest.
David mastered both as he honored God in his cave and declined to harm his persecutor, by submitting to God.
The third trial was ambiguous.
After seeing off two trials, Jesus stood on the pinnacle of the temple to say, “I will not jump. I will not tempt God”.
It was the subtle temptation to get ahead of oneself when doing well, as in Phil Collins saying, “we did fine until we believed what fans said”.
That’s when we run out of air and stall. David assessed his strength, as we might value investments, resources or the size of a congregation.
In repenting, he recounted God's faithfulness through his years, just as the Queen said in her book, “The servant queen and the King she serves”.
Thus he said “into your hands I commend my spirit”. Jesus echoed that as he died to serve the greater good of God’s great redemptive plan.
(c) Peter Missing: bethelstone@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment