2 Samuel 24; Psalm 24

In 2 Samuel 24, the Lord incites David to take a census of his military as a form of judgment against Israel. This census takes nearly 10 months to complete. Once complete, David realizes the errors of his ways and repents. David is given 3 options for how the Lord will punish Israel. He chooses the option that is entirely in the Lord’s hands, trusting in God’s mercy. David then buys a field and builds an altar to make sacrifices to the Lord, which then stops the plague the Lord sent on the people.

In Psalm 24 David pens a psalm that exalts God as Lord over all. Part of this psalm speaks to God’s presence and how man is able to approach him. We approach in truth and with a pure heart. The psalm also says God gives us righteousness and blessing. We can rightly say that this blessing and righteousness comes from the work of Christ, which is what gives us the ability to approach God and seek his face. Christ is the only means by which we can approach God.

Do you seek the face of God based on Christ’s righteousness and salvific work?