2 Samuel 24

Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, "Go, number Israel and Judah."

(2Sa 24:1)

Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.

(1Ch 21:1)

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

(Jas 1:13-14)

At first glance, this passage can be a little disturbing. What did David do wrong, and why does it seem that the Lord wanted him to do it? If we didn’t have the rest of God’s Word as a reference, I would be worried here… but when we see this passage in light of the REST OF GOD’S WORD, it makes sense.

Here in 2^nd Samuel, we read that GOD moved David… But if we flip over to 1^st Chronicles, we are told that Satan was responsible. Which is it; God or Satan? Whose fault is all of this anyway? The book of James gives us some thoughts that I think will help to shed some light on the subject here. In James chapter 1 we are told that God does not tempt anyone, but when we are tempted we are DRAWN AWAY BY OUR OWN LUSTS.

David had a pride problem. He wanted to know how many people were in the kingdom for no other reason than to be proud of his size and accomplishments. Satan saw David’s pride, and knew he had an opportunity to tempt him. Satan can do nothing without God ALLOWING it to happen. The reason that God allows this to happen was that ISRAEL WAS REBELLING AGAINST HIM. In all of their rebellion, God would allow Satan to tempt David and use the opportunity to judge Israel. In judging them, he was seeking to BRING THEM BACK to the place they were supposed to be, a place of humble reliance on Him.

When we get into trouble, we often ask “why God?!” as if it is His fault. We need to understand that NO ONE is to blame when we fall into sin but ourselves. It is your own lusts you are drawn away by, and the one who is leading you at that point is Satan. God often allows Satan to TEMPT us, because in the midst of the temptation God wants to TEST us to see how we will respond. He always gives us a way out, but He doesn’t keep us from ever having to face temptation. Ultimately, we are to blame when we fall.

What is in your heart? You know that Satan wants to tempt you; ultimately he wants to destroy you. But, he can only do what God allows him to. How are you dealing with the temptations in your life? God allowed this to happen to David because he wanted to rid David of this evil pride. What does God want to rid you of? Will you let it go the easy way, or are you going to do it the hard way? There is a way of escape, and believe it or not, Jesus is cheering for you. Don’t be like David here, say NO when the devil comes a knockin’.