Have you ever made a bad decision after you finally got over the result of a previous bad decision? My wife once baked a chicken pot pie on a cold winter day. Unfortunately, the dish turned out less than excellent. To ensure she never tried it again, she wrote across the page: BAD POT PIE RECIPE—DO NOT COOK! That’s one way to avoid a repeat mistake.

Late in his life, after massive fallout and pain from previous bad decisions, David decided to count the fighting men of Israel and Judah. While a census was not sinful in itself, this situation represented the height of ambition and pride in David. Joab his commander found the order odious, but David overruled him.

A prophet named Gad revealed the Lord’s anger to David. The consequences of his sin followed when a plague struck the land, killing thousands. David responded with humility and remorse: I have sinned; I, the shepherd, have done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Let your hand fall on me and my family.

As king, David’s bad decisions cost the lives of innocent people. Just as powerfully, his contrition stayed the hand of the Lord. My decisions, while not as far reaching, imprint those around me. Every decision of consequence influences others, for good for for ill. The ripples carry farther than we imagine.

I notice the pushback from Joab as well. A good friend speaks truth into our rash decisions. Although pride pushes me forward, pausing to consider words contrary to my plans usually results in a better decision, or rethinking a bad idea.

What do I learn from David? To avoid one bad decision after another. But when I rush forward and pay the price, I realize that humility and remorse mark the only path out.

2 Samuel 24 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Lubo Minar