Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.”

1 Chronicles 21:1-6

1Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.”
3 But Joab replied, “May the Lord multiply his troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all my lord’s subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?”
4 The king’s word, however, overruled Joab; so Joab left and went throughout Israel and then came back to Jerusalem. 5 Joab reported the number of the fighting men to David: In all Israel there were one million one hundred thousand men who could handle a sword, including four hundred and seventy thousand in Judah. 6 But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, because the king’s command was repulsive to him 7 This command was also evil in the sight of God; so he punished Israel.

Today’s title is “Pride Provoked By Satan”

An ordinary man, whether he is a Christian or not, does not know much about Satan. People hardly have sufficient knowledge either to approve or deny it. Some claim that they have personally experienced the power of Satan. Still, their description of who Satan is and what he does is very fragmentary and sketchy at best. We gain the most accurate knowledge of Satan from the Bible. The Bible shows us that Satan is a creature. It is a very old creature existing even at the time of the Garden of Eden. It is a very ambitious and rebellious creature who even rebelled against God. Satan has never and will never succeed in the rebellion against God. But he can’t stop the futile attempts. One thing that Satan is known for from of old is its “craftiness”. As early as Genesis, it is said, “ Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made.”. The craftiness of Satan can be seen in many ways throughout the Bible. What was most impressive about the craftiness of Satan to me is the “perfect timing” that it intervenes in the life of a man or in the redemptive work of God. Satan seems to know when to hit and when to run. Today’s episode in David’s life is a good example of it. Since David became enthroned as king, he prospers in every way. God was pleased with David and blessed him more and more. Satan must have been calmly observing David and God. It couldn’t stand the joy and glory of God manifested through David. It must have been calmly searching for the weakest spots of David to attack and waiting for the right time. Satan eventually found one and it attacked it. Where was the spot? It was the growing pride of David in himself and his achievements. He defeated all the enemies that he fought against big and small. He subjugated enormous territories and people. Albeit he was fundamentally humble and grateful, such seemingly endless victories and booties were making him engrossed in himself and what he has done. Satan must have instigated such a prideful spirit further. “You are so awesome! Look what you have done! It is so great. See how big your kingdom has become. And how many are your people! You will be amazed if you see how big it is and how many there are.” Alas! The great David who was so faithful and so humble stumbled into the crafty temptation of Satan. For many of us like David, pride is the most vulnerable spot too. We take pride in the numbers that show who we are and what we have done. We are easily blinded by the litany of praises. How will you stand up or stand down against such a crafty attack of Satan? Not in any way by our own might even if you are David! But only by the Lord who soundly defeated the craftiest temptation of Satan. Cross is the only weapon that crushes the craftiness of Satan. Amen!