A Better Devil. [Part [5] 03/15/2024 (Evening thought)

1st Chronicles 21:11 So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Choose thee. 12 Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtake thee; or else three days the sword of the Lord, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.

Starvation and death would result, if David were to choose the first option, because many persons would lose their jobs, and as a result, would not be able to pay their mortgages, and for this reason, they could lose their homes as a direct result of David’s ill-advised decision. Whenever resources become scarce, conflict is never far away, as we can currently see in the desperation and violence taking place in Gaza.

 When the citizens of any nation become financially desperate, all kinds of dangers can unfold, because wherever resources are scarce, conflict becomes the natural byproduct, as famished persons will, in most cases, do whatsoever it takes in order to survive. All of this potential turmoil could have been averted if Joab had stood his ground and refused to drink the Kool aid David gave him.

Then the recovery period might even be longer and the blame, and hand wringing that would dominate every news cycle could trigger a national revolt, and uprising to the point where some desperate persons in the military might plot a coup. So, David scratches this first option off, for he trembles at the thought of the ramifications that could ensue.

Deuteronomy 28:53 And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the Lord thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee: 54 So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!

A Better Devil. [Part [4] 03/14/2024 (Morning thought)

1st Chronicles 21:9 And the Lord spoke unto Gad, David's seer, saying, 10 Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.

David is now faced with a dire predicament because of his decision to do evil, even after he was alerted to the fact by the spineless Joab. David went ahead with the suggestion infused into his mind by satan, and now he has to choose the better devil, meaning that out of the three very bad options on the table, he has to pick the best devil.

Whenever the you and me in the here and now are faced with only bad options on the table, like David, we may have to choose the better devil, so that the least amount of collateral damage may result. This is a sorry situation to be in, but sometimes because of decisions, and actions taken by leaders, persons are placed in such an unfortunate position.

David now weighs the pros and cons, as he assesses the potential damage that will result either way, and in desperation, he gives voice to the seriousness of the predicament that could have been avoided. The first option, of three years of famine, would wreak havoc on the economy, and would most likely push the nation deep into a recession.

Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!