Everywhere I turn there seem to be smart people making foolish choices. What is happening? As I look more closely, foolish choices don’t seem to escape me either. Recent scandals have led television commentators to ask, “Why do people do bad and foolish things?” Their answers seem so shallow.
I notice that smart people are more apt to make foolish choices when personal accountability is missing. King David shows that even accountability is not enough to prevent foolishness.
Even though God had commanded that the army of the children of Israel never be numbered, David ordered a count of the troops. His top general, Joab, wondered aloud to David,
"But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?" ( 2 Samuel 24:3 )
David’s response to his foolish choice was to take responsibility and throw himself before God.
David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the LORD, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing. ( 2 Samuel 24:10 )
I must daily take personal responsibility for my life and relationships and seek accountability from godly friends. But when failure comes, I want to choose the example of David and find myself at the feet of Jesus. Please join me there.
Sharing the journey with you,
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