NOT IN THE HANDS OF MAN
Today's reading: 2 Samuel 23:8-24:25, John 16:1-22, Psalm 89:30-37

"So Gad came to David and asked him, Will you choose three years of famine throughout the land, three months of fleeing from your enemies or three days of severe plague through your land? Think about it and let me know what answer to give the Lord.
This is a desperate situation! David replied to Gad. But let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great. Do not let me fall into human hands." 2 Samuel 24:13-14 NLT

David had made a wrong choice by measuring up his 'strengths' instead of depend upon God alone, and now he was facing the consequences.

A choice between three consequences.

And he got to choose which one:

-three years of famine
-three months being chased by enemies
-three days of severe plague

None of them pleasant. None of them ideal. None of them ever possibly finding themselves on a person's wish list.

But David chose the plague.

No, in all honesty, David chose God's hand.

Not a lingering, all-country-infecting famine.

Not a brutal chase brought on by surrounding enemy armies.

God's hand.

Three days of heartache, delivered from the hand of God, leaving seventy thousand people dead.

I believe it was at this point when David realized, fully and whole heartedly realized, that our sins never just touch us.

Seventy thousand families were infected by David's sin of disobedience.

Seventy thousand souls were ended because David chose to count his abilities instead of lean on God.

Seventy thousand lives.

His account should be constantly in our minds as we choose to obey or disobey God's requests.

Who and how many might be affected?