Blessed be the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Welcome to this time of learning the Word of God—the Bible, which is “a lamp to our feet and a light to our path” (Psalm 119:105).
Today, let us briefly study why God is not pleased when we rely on our own strength, trust in other people, or depend on material resources—especially in times of trouble. We are called to fully trust in God.
Learning from King David’s Mistake
Let’s consider the example of King David, a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), who, at one point, momentarily drifted from trusting in the Lord and chose instead to trust in the strength of his military. This act displeased God and brought serious consequences to the nation of Israel—even though David later repented.
You may recall the story when David decided to count the fighting men of Israel, an action that was rooted in pride and misplaced trust. Although God permitted it to happen to punish Israel for their sins (2 Samuel 24:1), this act was still not in God’s perfect will and it grieved Him deeply.
David commanded his commander, Joab, to go and count all the warriors across Israel and Judah:
2 Samuel 24:1-2 – “Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and He incited David against them, saying, ‘Go, number Israel and Judah.’ So the king said to Joab, the commander of the army, who was with him, ‘Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the number of the people.’”
After nine months and twenty days, Joab returned with the report: 800,000 soldiers from Israel and 500,000 from Judah—a total of 1.3 million warriors (2 Samuel 24:9).
Immediately after this, David’s conscience was struck.
2 Samuel 24:10 – “But David’s heart struck him after he had numbered the people. And David said to the Lord, ‘I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O Lord, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly.’”
Because of this, God gave David three choices for judgment: seven years of famine, three months of fleeing from enemies, or three days of plague. David chose to fall into the hands of God:
2 Samuel 24:14 – “Then David said to Gad, ‘I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.’”
As a result, 70,000 people died from the plague—because of one man’s decision to trust in human strength rather than God.
What Was David’s Sin?
David’s sin was not merely counting the people—it was counting with the intent to find security in numbers, in military strength rather than trusting the Lord of Hosts who had given him victory in the past without relying on numbers.
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Psalm 20:7-9 – “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.”
1 Samuel 17:45-47 – “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts… For the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hand.”
David once trusted God completely. He defeated Goliath not with a sword or spear, but with faith in God. But in this moment of weakness, he turned to numbers and human resources—and that shift in trust brought destruction.
God had never saved David by the size of his army, but by His own hand. The numbering of the troops was an act of self-reliance, pride, and fear—three things that deeply grieve God.
Jesus’ Warning About False Security
Jesus Himself warned against putting our security in material possessions:
Luke 12:19-21 – “And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Where is your trust today?
Is it in your wealth?
Your job?
Your investments?
Your children?
Your health?
Your connections?
Your education?
Or is it in the Lord?
The Lord is our only true security:
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
If You Trust in the Lord, You Have Chosen the Better Portion
When others boast about their riches, their status, or their abilities—boast in the Lord:
Jeremiah 9:23-24 – “Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me…’”
If you rely on yourself instead of God, you risk losing even the little you have:
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 – “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…”
David lost 70,000 people in a single plague. That which he hoped would strengthen his kingdom became the source of its affliction.
Likewise, God can dismantle any idol or false trust in our lives to remind us that He alone is God. He is jealous for our hearts (Exodus 34:14).
Final Call: Turn to Jesus Today
If you have not yet surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, do not delay. The Bible says:
2 Corinthians 6:2 – “Now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Repent sincerely. Leave your sins behind, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be forgiven and saved.
MARANATHA!
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