It’s a census year. Have you completed your response to the 2020 US Census?
Humans love to count and measure things, don’t we? It’s comforting. If we can quantify it then surely, we can understand it and maybe even control it, right? It’s also often prideful. When we number our possessions, or likes, or circle of friends, it makes us feel awesome, recognized, applauded.
That was exactly what was going on with King David in 2 Samuel 24 when he failed to heed the advice of his military advisor to not take a census of the armies of Israel. Immediately after the 1.3 million “men of valor” were accounted for, David felt the anguish of his pride and his failure to trust in God instead of the might of his armies, and he cried out to God for forgiveness.
After David had numbered the troops, his conscience was stricken and he said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” 2 Samuel 24:10
God did not let this sin go unpunished. In fact, he made David choose the punishment from three options:
- Three years of famine
- Three months of fleeing from and being overtaken by his enemies
- Three days of a plague
And David answered, “I am deeply distressed. Please, let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.” 2 Samuel 24:14
God sent the third option–the plague. The Bible doesn’t describe the details of the plague to us, but we do know that in three days 70,000 people died. (By the way, are any of these circumstances sounding eerily familiar–a census? a plague?)
There are numerous opinions in commentaries and theology websites on the reason God allowed David to choose the punishment and why God sent the plague, but what I thought was more compelling was the wisdom in David’s response in verse 14. He chose to rely on God’s mercy instead of taking his chances with his fellow man. Why? Because although God created us in His image with the capacity to be merciful, it turns out, we aren’t so good at it.
What is mercy? The original Greek word means to show kindness or compassion for someone in serious need; to be moved to relieve the suffering of another. I’ve also heard mercy described as withholding a consequence or punishment that is deserved.
We like to see people get what we think they deserve. We get satisfaction from the concept of “reaping what is sown.” And I believe we often do not extend mercy because it seems weak, or we feel that we are “giving in” or being taken advantage of.
In contrast, God shows us mercy continually, intentionally and with strength. He is all powerful, sovereign, and always perfectly just, yet He is also good, and gentle and tender toward us. And the Gospel message of salvation is the supreme act of mercy. God in His goodness, had compassion on His creation and sent His Son, Jesus–the very embodiment of mercy–to bear the wrath for our sin so that we can live eternally in reconciled relationship with God.
As recipients of such extreme mercy, we should not just be willing to extend mercy to others, we should be compelled to.
Stress is abnormally high right now as we continue to see suffering from this pandemic yet grow weary of the restrictions placed on us in an attempt to slow its spread. Everyone seems to have a different opinion on the best way to manage the virus. Many jobs have been lost, business owners are facing closure and bankruptcy, and our retirement accounts have plummeted. Verifiable information seems scarce as so much is still unknown about the virus. Data is manipulated to “prove” just about any perspective. Tempers are flaring. Anxiety and depression are skyrocketing.
During this chaos we have a tremendous opportunity to live out Jesus’ direction in Luke 6:36. Look for ways to relieve someone’s distress. Maybe offer a sympathetic smile and listening ear instead of a counterargument. Assume that others have pure motives until proven otherwise. Show compassion, empathy, and kindness. “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
