April 16

One little thing like taking a census cost 70,000 lives. Who am I to say that is harsh! I will say that I don’t understand things like this very well. It was probably the reasons that David did it that was utterly contemptible to the Lord. After all, Joab was repulsed so much that he didn’t count 2 tribes. Hmmm… One thing for sure, our sin doesn’t just affect us. David ended up throwing himself on the mercy of God which is always a great place to be.

What struck me this morning was Psalm 30, especially the end of it. When judgment, chastisement or anything else that is personally costly is happening in your life – throw yourselves at the feet of your Father. When calamity or destruction is falling on your house, sing to the Lord! It will only last a little while! That is the promise. God loves to turn my mourning into dancing and he takes off my depression and gives me joy! That is where He wants to take me – to joy. In this life, I must traverse many difficulties, but my end is JOY! His goodness can be counted on in the midst of struggles to get me through to the other side. He is faithful, merciful and his favor lasts for a lifetime. That is something I can count on – something I NEED to count on!