Don't Ignore the Prickings

714 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 24:4 Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab and against the captains of the army. Therefore Joab and the captains of the army went out from the presence of the king to count the people of Israel. 5 And they crossed over the Jordan and camped in Aroer, on the right side of the town which is in the midst of the ravine of Gad, and toward Jazer. 6 Then they came to Gilead and to the land of Tahtim Hodshi; they came to Dan Jaan and around to Sidon; 7 and they came to the stronghold of Tyre and to all the cities of the Hivites and the Canaanites. Then they went out to South Judah as far as Beersheba. 8 So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days. 9 Then Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to the king. And there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. 10 And David's heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the LORD, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O LORD, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly." In spite of advice from his military commanders, David presses on with his orders for a census. It takes Joab a little over 9 months to complete the task. When the deed is done, David's heart condemned him. His heart was smitten, the Hebrew word implies a sharp striking like a clap. His conscience was pricked. Now just think about that word. Think about the last time you were pricked by a thorn or a needle. It was sharp, quick pain that got your attention wasn't it? These prickings should not be ignored. They are reminders that can be verified by the word of God, that you have taken a course of action that is wrong! When Peter preached on that first day of Pentecost, his audience was reminded of the actions they had taken against Jesus and in Ac 2:37 we read, “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?” When Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was reminded of all the wrongs he had done in persecuting the church, Jesus asked him in “why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Friend don't harden your heart against these prickings. Stop and consider what is causing them. Be willing then like David to confess them as sin before God and imploring Him for His abundant mercy!