Collateral Damage“So the LORD
sent a plague upon Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell [dead].” The Bible records an example of collateral damage that cost the lives of 70,000 men, something that Arnold could never avenge for. King David made what appeared to be an innocent request of general Joab to number the troops. But the minute Joab heard the request, he cringed, for numbering the troops was a great sin in Israel because it was against the law. Why? Because it showed that you were placing more trust in numbers, in human strength, than in Almighty God. David displayed enough pride by counting 1.57 million armed men that cost the lives of 70,000. God gave him three choices of punishment, David chose the plague and it resulted in the loss of 70,000. Throughout Israel’s history, God set the stage for battles to be won, miracles to take place, and people to exercise faith. The stage was always set so that man could not take credit for what God did. Gideon was allowed only 300 men out of 32,000 to fight the Midianite army of 100,000. Jehoshaphat had to lead his army with his praisers and singers before God defeated the enemy. Joshua was told to walk around Jericho seven times and blow the trumpets seven times on the seventh round before they would get victory. Naaman the Syrian general and leper was told to dip in the Jordan River seven times before he got healed. God did things in mysterious ways but then again His ways are far above our ways and His thoughts far above our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). The minute we place more trust in our abilities than in God, we are guilty of numbering the troops and collateral damage will roll in. How does God punish us? By letting a deal go south, through lack, sickness or through problems with the IRS. Or situations at home with the wife and kids just blow up. God may let us go on for a time doing our own thing, enjoying our monster's ball, but eventually He deals with it in His way. We need to meditate on the Word daily and acknowledge our dependence on God. Use our gifts and abilities through the power of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him daily for direction and wisdom. His ways won’t always line up with conventional wisdom. The only way for us to appreciate His ways is to renew our mind with the Word of God so that we will have a beautiful mind. When we begin depending on our abilities only, God has a responsibility to make known to us who’s the Boss, who’s in charge and who’s really having a ball. Copyright © 2002 Eddy Ministries. All rights reserved. Subscribe/Unsubscribe:
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