Declaration of Dependence

"And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it...And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel. And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly" (1Chron. 21:1-2, 7-8).

After experiencing great military victories David was enticed by Satan to number Israel. Why was this a sinful thing that displeased God and brought his judgment? Pride! David forgot that the reason for his success was not the size of his kingdom but the blessings of God. David was a great king not because of how big his kingdom was but because of how big His God was. But when David ordered for the census to be taken he was making a declaration of independence. In other words he was saying that his strength was in numbers rather than in God. Do you realize that the essence of sin is an act of independence from God? And from day one Satan's goal has been to tempt man to act independently of God. But great Christians are men and women that recognize there utter need for God. And one of the greatest measures of dependence on God is prayer. Prayer is our declaration of dependence. "Pray as if your life depended upon it. It does!" (P. Yancey)