day no. 15,586: the sin of being our own beloved

1 Chronicles 21:17
And David said to God, "Was it not I who gave command to number the people? It is I who have sinned and done great evil. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O LORD my God, be against me and against my father's house. But do not let the plague be on your people."

David's people were suffering because of his sin. His response was to plead with God to remove His wrath from His people and point it solely at him, the person responsible. David took responsibility for his sin and asked that its consequences be spared from others and limited to himself. He begged God to remove the plague that had infected the citizens of the kingdom he stewarded on God's behalf.

Contrast this response to personal failure and consequence with Hezekiah.

2 Kings 20:16-19
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord: Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?”

Hezekiah was okay with his people suffering for his sin as long as he did not have to personally suffer for it. He was relieved to find out that God's wrath would land on his descendants instead of on himself. He did not take responsibility for his sin or sympathize with the future generations who would suffer as a result of his past sins.

May God make us in this respect more like David -- with masculine hearts faithfully taking responsibility and taking courage to face the consequences of our own decisions. May God extend our concern to others and employ our strength for the sake of securing their safety. May we place ourselves between the danger and our beloved and may He save us from the sin of being our own most beloved subject.