And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces. And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father’s house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued. 1 Chronicles 21:16-17 KJV
When David lifted his eyes he saw a terrifying sight: the angel of the Lord with a sword stretched over Jerusalem to execute judgment. This had come because of David’s sin of pride, a sin that others had warned him against, and now the whole nation was suffering because of it. We should never think that our sins only affect us they always hurt others. Seeing the consequence of his sin David responded swiftly in humble prayer and confession. His four-fold response is helpful to make note of: (1) He confessed his sin. (2) He accepted personal punishment for his sin [let thy hand be upon me]. (3) He threw himself on God’s mercy [verse 13]. (4) He pleaded in behalf of those affected by his sin.
Lord, protect me from persistence in sin, especially when others warn me against it. When I do sin, help me to see the seriousness of it and respond with swift humility.
