Once when David sinned against God, the prophet came to him with a message. God was going to let David choose his own punishment. That is scary.
“Do you want three years of famine to come on the land, to flee from your foes for three months while they pursue you, or to have a plague in your land for three days?” 2 Samuel 24:13.
It’s a tough decision, huh? Think about it…. Which would you choose and why?
So what did David do?
“David answered, ‘I have great anxiety! Please let me fall into the Lord’s hands because His mercies are great, but don’t let me fall into human hands’” verse 14.
David realized that God is wiser and more merciful than David. So he says, “God, I trust you, and I want You to choose.”
So God sent the three-day plague. I think that proves that God knows a quick punishment is better than something long and drawn-out.
APPLICATION?
I think this applies to how we punish children. A spanking, handled appropriately, is a better punishment than grounding because it is short-lived. When children are grounded, they spend days, weeks, sometimes months, under a cloud. They feel: I am not forgiven, or accepted, or trusted, because I am bad.
By contrast, a well-delivered spanking is scary, but you can be hugging your parents again seconds later, as they wipe your tears. As my college psychology professor used to say, “Punishment should be SWIFT, SEVERE, and SOON OVER.”
“For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor, a lifetime.
Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5.
God, thank you for your mercy. Thank you that even when you have to punish us, you are kind and gentle and merciful and understanding. I would rather be in trouble with You than any human authority—and that is remarkable. I praise You for Your mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 