NOTES: 3 Rulers, Part 8

Sermon: 3 Rulers: Part 8: Who Rules When We Fail?

Text: 2 Samuel 24:6-19 (10-14)

Sunday Oct. 9, 2022

2 Samuel 24:10–14 (ESV)

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.” 11 And when David arose in the morning, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying, 12 “Go and say to David, ‘Thus says the Lord, Three things I offer you. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you.’ ” 13 So Gad came to David and told him, and said to him, “Shall three years of famine come to you in your land? Or will you flee three months before your foes while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days’ pestilence in your land? Now consider, and decide what answer I shall return to him who sent me.” 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 let me not fall into the hand of man.”

Let’s Connect:

When I fail, which Ruler will I choose?

 Scripture Explained:

 David’s story: God’s Mercy in the midst of failure

 The Mercy of God: God’s goodness and compassionate forgiveness toward people, especially when in distress or misery.

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.”

We should understand that God guides consequences as part of His eternal plan

as well as for our individual good and perfection.

Even when our circumstances suggest that God is unjust

we remember

what we know of Him from past experience and from the whole counsel of His Word

let us encourage each other in this truth.

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 let me not fall into the hand of man.”

 What does the mercy of God look like in this situation?

 God made the threshing floor a place of mercy.

 God’s extravagant mercy would be fully realized in the death of His Son.

Jesus Christ is the full expression of the mercy of God

He came to redeem us from our worst moments—our sin—through his sacrifice and death—

This is beyond our understanding.

His grand redemptive plan uses even the failures of His people.

As we repent, He works in them for our good.

Romans 8:28-30, (ESV) 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Relate:

What is the difference between falling into human hands vs. falling into the hands of God?

Illustration: The Scale

Psalm 51:1-2, 11 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!…Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.”

Closing thoughts on the story of David:

Challenge: 

Remain settled in the hand of God and share His mercies with others.