1100

2 Samuel 24:2-17; Ps 32 Lord, forgive the wrong I have done; Mark 6:1-6

Today is another one of those milestones. I noticed that when i logged in to do this blog thing this morning that I have had 1099 blogs posted and today will make 1100 blog reflections.


Then instantly i thought i about the first reading for today. King David decides to get a head count of the size of his kingdom, "tour all the tribes in Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba and register the people, that I may know their number."

Now of you read the the rest of the story of David, you will discover that God frowned upon this endeavor. IT wasn't for David to keep count nor to measure the size of his kingdom for ultimately it was God's kingdom not David's.

So I thought that this counting business is for the birds. I just keep reflecting until the good Lord decides otherwise or at least until I loose my connection to the internet.

The beauty of today's reading is the last few lines. David was given a choice of disciplinary action for is foolishness in counting his people, three year famine, three months of fleeing form his enemy, or three days of pestilence in the land.

Interesting perspective to ponder. If God gave us a choice of disciplinary action, what would we choose?


David chose the quickest. HE chose three days of pestilence perhaps figuring it was the shortest amount and that it would quickly pass and he could move on with his ruling of the kingdom.

The point conversion for David comes at the end after he sees 70000 of his people die and himself unharmed.

David said to the Lord, "It is I who have sinned; it i sI, the shepherd, who have done wrong. But these are sheep; what have they done? Punish me and my kindred."

Finally David takes responsibility. finally David is able to mature and grow up in the face of calamity that he himself causes.

David is a great example for us in this light. How often we watch other people suffer because of our mistakes and yet refuse to recognize our fault and guilt. How often we refuse t grow up and take responsibility.

The pain and suffering of people took David to a new level of awareness of the importance of accountability in authority.

It is a terrible tragedy in deed. But how often is this the reality we encounter at larger scale around the world, where the sins of the rulers cause great suffering to the people whom they were sent to guide?

We go to the gospel this morning. Jesus is in his home town preaching and curing. His fellows townsfolk are upset and jealous about this unfolding reality.

"Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and SImon? ANd are not his sisters here with us? And they took offense at him."


They knew everything about JEsus but they did not know him and here in lies the defining movement of the man of faith. We can know about JEsus but it is not enough. We must get to know him and then the power of faith begins to affect our lives.

Where is our faith?