Whacha Gonna Do?: 1 Chronicles 21.18-28

Requests are made upon us every day of our lives. We often respond favorably to such requests. Sometimes we do not. Our motivations for our responses run across a whole range of possibilities. But here is one thing to remember: God makes requests of us too. And when God asks us to do, to be or to change something, your response ought to be in the affirmative.

However, what God asks is not always easy. In fact, we often underestimate God's expectations of us. He is always speaking to us, pushing us, encouraging us to change and grow in our faith. Do not assume that because you obeyed God yesterday, that you are off the hook today.

In today's passage, 1 Chronicles 21.18-28, we have the report of the results of David's sin. David had become so full of himself and his power and authority that he decided that he would measure how great he was by taking a census. This was not the will of God for David, or for Israel. Because of David's sin, God sent a punishment on the people of Israel. A great plague began to kill the Israelite people. And that is where we begin.

1. The Lord makes requests of us. (v. 22) God is always with us and always interested in what we do and what happens to us. He is consistently and constantly asking us to serve him in ever-increasing ways. However, it is important to notice that when he asks, he is always fair and reasonable. His expectations are not too high. He also offers us compensation when he makes requests. There are no empty obligations where God is concerned. Finally, God never asks us to do too much. He knows our abilities.
2. Our response to God's requests should always be willingness. (v.23) We are always supposed to give of our time, our stuff, our lives without a hint of selfishness. In the text, Ornan responds to David's request (which really comes from God). He not only offers that property that David asks for, but he also offers his sustenance (the oxen), his means of income (the implements) and his income (the grain). Ornan's response was to give completely to God.
3. God rewards our willingness to serve him. (v. 25) When we do what God wants he will not necessarily make us wealthy, but he will take care of our needs and stay with us.