1 Chronicles 21:17 "David said to God, 'Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I am the one who has sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? O Lord my God, let your hand fall upon me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people.'"
David had ordered the counting of his fighting men. He was not supposed to do this, and because he disobeyed the Lord, the Lord chose to punish him. God gave David three options for the punishment so David chose to have 3 days of the "sword of the Lord" which included plague. In verse 17, David cries out to God to spare the people since it was his mistake and his sin.
Sin affects everything. We oftentimes think sin only affects ourselves, but it reaches farther than that. My sin affects my family, my friends, and my community. Before I make stupid decisions, before I rebel, before I give in to temptation, I must be aware that this choice, that act, can destroy more than just myself.
Dear Jesus, help me to not sin. Not for my sake, but for others. Amen.
