Beware of Pride
Pride is the sin that caused satan to fall. He believed that he was equal to God and wanted to ascend to His throne to unseat Him.
At first glance this thought seems preposterous. How could anyone put themselves on par with God? But isn't this what is done when man glorifies himself, rather than God?
Isn't this what happens when we believe we are above the need for God's help? Isn't it pride that tells us that we can go it alone and do it our own way?
Pride is personified in satan and its manifestation is as old as Adam and Eve who wanted to be like God; deciding for themselves what is right and wrong.
This is where we find David in 1 Chronicles 21.
He decides he wants to take a census. Looking on the surface, what is wrong with numbering the people? Judging by God's reaction and response - a lot.
God does not see as man sees.
God sees that David did this because of the pride in his heart and there is nothing more offensive to God than pride and the sin that flows from it. David had gotten to a very dangerous point in his life. A place where he trusted in his own power and desired to exalt himself in his own mind.
Pride separates us from God.
We are told in the beginning of the chapter that satan stood up against Israel and provoked David. Anytime satan is involved we know that his intention is to get someone to rebel against God.
God allowed satan to act against David to expose what was already in his heart. He loved David enough to correct him.
It is no surprise that one who is described as "a man after God's own heart" was the target of the wicked one. Every action satan takes is to weaken and destroy God's people, attempting to obscure the Glory of God in the process.
His frequently executed strategy is to strike the shepherd to scatter the sheep. Leaders actions (and inaction) matter more than we acknowledge.
Unfortunately, we see this all too often in churches, companies and in our governments. Leaders are tempted, begin to see themselves more highly than they ought, and the repercussions of their pride fueled actions are felt within the community of people. While the nation of Israel was judged for the sin of all of the people, it was David's rebellion that roused God's anger toward them.
David's life was an open book. We have been allowed to witness his many failures as a man, as a husband, father, friend and king. He was a man who had not tamed his flesh; a man who acted impulsively. Sometimes his rush to action served him well, as in the case of his defeat of Goliath. Repeatedly his impetuous behavior was his undoing.
Taking a census was one of those decisions made without considering the consequences. His nephew Joab, commander of the army, tried to warn him that this numbering of the people would bring punishment. He tried to warn him that God could multiply numbers if that was needed to defeat their enemies. He warned him that it was better to trust God.
Pride is self-centered.
In spite of Joab's warning, David acted without considering what the consequences of his actions would be on the nation.
We've seen this before. In 2 Samuel 11-12 we see this impulsive behavior in the story of Bathsheba. David acted without thinking. He acted outside of the law and counsel of God and brought about the death of Uriah and the child that was born to Bathsheba.
David's pride caused him to take something that was not his and it brought death to two innocent people.
There are always fatal consequences when pride is in play.
It may not always be physical death, but pride, if unrestrained, brings a death to conscience. This is why God goes to such great lengths to bring correction. He knows the eventual outcomes once pride gains even a small foothold. He acts to keep us from completely suppressing the voice of our conscience and destroying our relationship with Him.
THIS is why God allowed satan to provoke David. Had the condition of David's heart been healthy, satan would not have found fertile ground to plant the seeds of rebellion. Because in its most basic form, pride is rebellion against God.
As a leader, David's actions impacted others.
As a husband and father his pride brought great sorrow to his family. We are told in 2 Samuel 12:10 that after David had Uriah killed and took his wife, that his family would never live in peace. As we see his life unfold in the Word, we observe the turmoil in his own household.
In 1 Chronicles 21 we see that 70,000 people lost their lives to disease and God sent an angel standing with sword in hand, ready to destroy Jerusalem.
David, who was so proud of the number of the multitude of his people, saw 70,000 of them struck dead in a matter of hours. How many times have we seen leaders boast of their accomplishments, never acknowledging that it was the goodness of God that allowed them to achieve what they did?
As in the days after the birth of he and Bathsheba's child, we see David once again cast himself upon the mercy of God. What other position could he take?
Thankfully he still knew that the mercies of God are great and that repentance brings restoration. Thankfully pride had not blinded him to that truth.
Thankfully, he was still able to humble himself - his heart had not been irretrievably hardened by pride.
Thankfully, the Lord accepted David's humble sacrifice and withdrew His judgement.
To bring this home to where we live today, the burden of my heart this day is to pray for those who lead us, to repent of their pride. My prayer is that God forgives us, delivers us from our sin and deliver us from the consequence of our sin. My prayer is that His anger would be turned away, that it would last but a moment and His favor would return.
My prayer is that the leaders in HIS church and in our society and governments would humble themselves before our Mighty God, hear His voice and obey His commands.
My prayer is that our leaders would blaze trails of repentance, not rebellion against the Most High.
Just as in ancient Israel, and throughout all recorded human history, our sins are many. They blanket our nations - a covering of rebellious acts offensive to a Holy God. The most grievous being our lack of faith and trust in HIM.
As prayer leaders, we must repent - we must lead in repentance. We must weep between the porch and the altar and ask forgiveness for our nations. We must intercede for our leaders and pray for them to do the same.
We must ask forgiveness for the collective rebellion against God and His laws. A rebellion that has degraded and brought decay to our nations.
We must ask forgiveness for the pride that has deceived many into thinking that we can govern our own lives, without God.
When David humbled himself, repented, built an altar and offered a sacrifice, God graciously forgave him.
God met him. In faith, we pray for the same.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me."
(Psalm 51:10-11)
Amen.
© Lisa M. Wesley, Women’s Prayer Army
