2 Sam 24:10, Now David's heart troubled him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the Lord, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O Lord, please take away the iniquity of Thy servant, for I have acted very foolishly." 
In this morning’s reading we have the tragic result of the pride of a king that comes into fruition. David wanted to know the clout of his kingdom, just as so many powerful monarchs have done over the centuries. He did this, not out of obedience unto The Lord, but out of a prideful nature to measure the breadth of his influence. It was an act of arrogance, egotism, and self-importance. It displeased Jehovah greatly and brought forth a judgment against David and the people in terms of suffering and affliction. 
Even in the choices that were given, David decided to take the one which caused the least personal pain, but which would subject his people to the onslaught of the punishment that should have been his alone to bear. He could not find the immediate path of humbleness before God that is required of any who are truly repentant and willing to change. This is to the will and the course of what God sets before the humble in the contriteness of their transgression, leading to forgiveness and restoration with God.
This was not a course that was David’s alone to bear. He was from a people in whom this need for humbleness and softness to the indiscretions of their hearts was paramount in the working power of God. Consider how the people of God were so adamantly tied to the gods of the nations that surrounded them, even when they had known the grace and the salvation and the provision of Jehovah, as recounted in Judg 10:11-16. This was after they had inhabited the land of Promise, and had enjoyed the manifest blessing of Yahweh.  
Judg 10:11-16, And the Lord said to the sons of Israel, "Did I not deliver you from the Egyptians, the Amorites, the sons of Ammon, and the Philistines? "Also when the Sidonians, the Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you, you cried out to Me, and I delivered you from their hands. Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods; therefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your distress." And the sons of Israel said to the Lord, "We have sinned, do to us whatever seems good to Thee; only please deliver us this day." So they put away the foreign gods from among them, and served the Lord; and He could bear the misery of Israel no longer. 
	This is not an excuse for the actions of David, but rather an understanding that he, as do all humans, including every one seated in this room, are dealing with the lies and the deceits of our old nature. This world tries to turn our heads and hearts away from our living relationship with God through Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Our Lord. 
David was no better than his forefathers, as they were no better than us. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, as we are told throughout the scriptures. That is why we needed the salvation that only comes through the death and resurrection of the Only Begotten of The Father. That is also why, each time we do sin, without any exception, we need to confess our sins and turn away from it as we desire that restoration with Our Lord God Almighty. 
Consider what we read in 2 Sam 12:13, concerning David and his heart before The Lord. This was after his vile adulterous and murderous action with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. David was earnestly humbled and contrite in despising how he had so virulently sinned before God and thus put that wall of separation between himself and Jehovah. It was causing David extreme distress in the manner of his fellowship with God and with others. Therefore, when God sent the prophet to bring forth the judgment against that sin, David received the rebuke, not with anger or indignation, but with repentance of heart and spirit. 
2 Sam 12:13, Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." And Nathan said to David, "The Lord also has taken away your sin; you shall not die. 
	In this morning’s reading we once again see the heart of the shepherd come through as King David saw what his decision to avoid personal consequences had cost the nation as a whole. He was, once again repentant as to his sinful action. He asked The Lord to spare the people from the terrible devastation that was plaguing them. This is recounted in the 17th verse of this Chapter 24.
2 Sam 24:17, Then David spoke to the Lord when he saw the angel who was striking down the people, and said, "Behold, it is I who have sinned, and it is I who have done wrong; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let Thy hand be against me and against my father's house." 
	As we well know, David was not perfect in his decisions and in his actions. He would err, as does every man except Jesus. The key to witness with David was the fact that when he did sin, he would regret that transgression and would humble his heart to seek the forgiveness of God with the every fiber of his being. He was desirous to settle the issue with The Lord in terms of his relationship and his ability to bring himself before Jehovah with contriteness of heart. That is why scripture contains this characteristic of David and recount it over and over again for the sake of you and me coming into the understanding that we can always seek after God to forgive and restore, such as 1 Chron 21:8.
1 Chron 21:8, And David said to God, "I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of Thy servant, for I have done very foolishly."
	David did not try to justify or excuse his error. He faced it with the reality that he had been foolish and acted accordingly. There was remorse in the aftereffect, especially with regard to how it interfered immensely with his relationship with The Lord God Almighty. Therefore he wanted to be washed from his iniquity and restored to his relationship with Jehovah.
	Another, in the lineage of David, who had the same heart after this relationship with Yahweh was King Hezekiah. Initially, as we read in 2 Chron 32:24-26, he was filled with pride and ingratitude. However that was changed when he saw the effects it had on his people. He became contrite and soft of spirit to the Lord and desired that relationship with God that only is in place when we face our humanity, and know that we need His divine work of forgiveness in our beings.
2 Chron 32:24-26, In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill; and he prayed to the Lord, and the Lord spoke to him and gave him a sign. But Hezekiah gave no return for the benefit he received, because his heart was proud; therefore wrath came on him and on Judah and Jerusalem. However, Hezekiah humbled the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come on them in the days of Hezekiah. 
	In the book of Job, Chapter 33, verses 24-30, this change of heart and mind that was evidenced in Hezekiah, and often in many of us, is highlighted. There is that work of God which humbles the proud. God makes evident the need to change and to become contrite before Him and seek Him with the every fiber of our being. The effects of that working power of God is, as well, declared in this passage.
Job 33:24-30, Then let him be gracious to him, and say, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom'; Let his flesh become fresher than in youth, Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor; Then he will pray to God, and He will accept him, That he may see His face with joy, And He may restore His righteousness to man. "He will sing to men and say, 'I have sinned and perverted what is right, And it is not proper for me. 'He has redeemed my soul from going to the pit, And my life shall see the light.'  "Behold, God does all these oftentimes with men, To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life. 
The Psalmist picks up the absolute necessity of seeking The Lord with contriteness of spirit and heart in many of those psalms. We will read Ps 32:5-7, at this time to emphasize what should be the heart of each of us. 
It would also be a fundamental study to read through the Psalms and discover how often we are called to repent and to acknowledge our sin before God. This is in order that He would restore that which we so carelessly toss aside in our selfish and malignant disregard for His Holiness.
Ps 32:5-7, I acknowledged my sin to Thee, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord"; And Thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin. Selah. Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they shall not reach him. Thou art my hiding place; Thou dost preserve me from trouble; Thou dost surround me with songs of deliverance. 
	In Proverbs 28:13+14, God lets us know that it is absolutely necessary for us to confess and forsake our sin. If we are truly humble and contrite about that transgression, it means that we desire to be done with it now and forever. It is not something that we want to have as part of our lives ever again. That does not mean that we are perfect in our obedience, but we strive to be. We continually ask God to be our strength to face the every temptation. 
Prov 28:13+14, He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. 
	The Prophet Jeremiah, in Jer 14:20-22, then brings forth the reality that it is all for the sake of the glory of God that we seek to have done with sin in our beings. Our eyes are turned to The Lord in the reality that as we sin, we besmirch His so great love. It is as we act in His Holiness and in obedience to His Word that He will be honored and blessed and receive the praise and adoration of our walk on this earth.
	Jer 14:20-22, We know our wickedness, O Lord, The iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against Thee. Do not despise us, for Thine own name's sake; Do not disgrace the throne of Thy glory; Remember and do not annul Thy covenant with us. Are there any among the idols of the nations who give rain? Or can the heavens grant showers? Is it not Thou, O Lord our God? Therefore we hope in Thee, For Thou art the one who hast done all these things. 
	The prophet Micah, then, in Mic 7:7-9, brings us to the place that is so familiar as we face the sin that so easily besets us. We may fall, but we are not hopeless and without a Savior Who will plead our case before the Throne of God’s Holiness and Justice. We cannot do anything on our own. Jesus is the One Who intercedes for us and lifts us up and lights the way through the darkness of this age.
Mic 7:7-9, But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord Because I have sinned against Him, Until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, And I will see His righteousness. 
	We bring this week’s consideration to a close with the encouraging writing of Hab 3:2. We may sin over and over again. It may be a grievous sin to our souls and in the sight of this world. However, though it may be years of faltering steps on this path that we tread, we have a hope beyond measure in Our Lord God Almighty. 
Hab 3:2, Lord, I have heard the report about Thee and I fear. O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy. 
	Though the hand of God may work in our lives in a fearsome manner that will bring us to our knees, to our knees we will fall. We will seek Him to remove that sin and make in us a clean and righteous heart, no matter what the path and no matter how painful the means of His glorious working might. We may bear the consequences of our actions through suffering and turmoil and strife and anguish, but there will be proved in us the truth that Our God reigns supremely and eternally! He will wash us from our iniquity as we call out to Him and seek Him and confess our sins to Him and ask Him to cleanse us! His wrath may be our portion for a time, as it cleanses and washes away all that filth of this sinful nature. 
Despite all this, there will be absolute mercy in it all! God will be faithful and just and perfect in all His ways in our lives, today, tomorrow, and forevermore! So be it!
Now David's heart troubled him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the Lord, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O Lord, please take away the iniquity of Thy servant, for I have acted very foolishly." Amen.

	This morning’s benediction is Heb 10:11-13. And every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. Amen.