Trust The Mercy Of The Lord With Your Life

David disobeyed God, so God gave him a choice of the punishment He would inflict on him. He had to make a tough decision. In the process, he learned to trust in the mercy of the Lord.

Like David, we also face difficult decisions in our lives. Let’s discover together how David’s choice in these verses teaches us to trust the mercy of the Lord.

So Gad came to David and asked him, “Will you choose three years of famine throughout your land, three months of fleeing from your enemies, or three days of severe plague throughout your land? Think this over and decide what answer I should give the Lord who sent me.” 2 Samuel 24:13

Parents sometimes let their children pick their punishment for their disobedience. Perhaps the child chooses between no television for a week or no dessert for three nights.

My parents never extended that privilege to me. They decided the consequence ahead of time. And I usually felt it enough that they definitely got the message across.

In this chapter of 2 Samuel, David disobeyed God concerning a census. The king didn’t conduct a wrong census out of ignorance. No, he had full knowledge of what he had done.

But after he had taken the census, David’s conscience began to bother him. And he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt, Lord, for doing this foolish thing.” 2 Samuel 24:10

David’s sin of pride when he numbered the people required discipline. God laid three choices before him. Any discipline hurts; this one, though, pierced David like a thorn.

David’s Three Options

The choices God gave him to choose from consisted of the following. Three years of famine, three months of fleeing before enemies, or three days of severe plague. None offered any comfort.

Each path led to loss, sorrow, and pain. David faced what no king would ever desire for his people. He caused suffering in the land he shepherded because of a decision he made.

The first option—famine—would drag on for years. The land would wither, crops would fail, and families would cry out in hunger. Israel had never endured such a famine during his reign.

He likely thought of empty storehouses and skeletal children. The shepherd’s heart within him recoiled at the idea of prolonged hunger.

The second option—fleeing from enemies—carried bitter memories. Before his crown, David ran for years from King Saul. He hid in caves, dodged spears, and lived on the edge of death.

He knew the terror of a hunted life. Also he understood the mercy of the Lord. But to relive that type of pain seemed unbearable.

The third option—three days of plague—sounded swift yet devastating. David might have asked, “Would seventy thousand people fall just as easily through famine or sword?

If the end result brought death either way, shouldn’t God make the decision?” Verse 14 tells us that David chose to lean into the mercy of the Lord.

“I’m in a desperate situation!” David replied to Gad. “But let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great. Do not let me fall into human hands.” 2 Samuel 24:14

A Lesson in Trust

David’s response teaches us something about difficult decisions. He did not excuse his sin. He did not run from his responsibility. Instead, he placed his trust in God’s character.

David knew how cruel people could act. Enemies could press in with hatred. Nations could show no mercy. But God’s discipline—though severe—would flow from mercy and love.

This story reminds us that consequences always follow sin. David’s pride in numbering the people carried a heavy cost. Yet even in discipline, the Lord extended His mercy.

David’s choice reflected a heart that trusted God more than human judgment. He knew God would not abandon His people even in the valley of suffering.

This passage also points us toward a greater reality. The Lord in His mercy gives every person a choice about eternity. David had three options, our decision concerns two eternal destinations.

We can accept Jesus Christ, who bore our punishment on the cross, and receive eternal life.
We can reject Him, choosing to bear our own punishment in hell.
We can remain indifferent, which equals rejection, since failing to choose Christ equals choosing separation from Him forever.

God could not make the decision clearer. The Lord, through His Son Jesus, invites us to trust His mercy. Just as David placed his fate into God’s hands, we too must surrender unto Him.

Christ endured the plague of sin upon His own body so we might live. While hanging on the cross, the Lord took the wrath of our sin while pouring out His mercy.

Choosing the Mercy of the Lord

Think about the weight of David’s decision. Seventy thousand people died in three days. That number sounds staggering, yet it pales compared to the eternal loss of a soul. Jesus asked;

What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:26

The daily choices we make reflect where our trust lies. Will we run to God in repentance when we sin, or will we hide? Will we trust His correction to shape us, or resist His hand?

David’s life illustrates that even kings stumble. But his heart also demonstrated that confession and surrender lead to restoration. David relied totally on the Lord and His mercy.

Applying the Mercy of the Lord to Your Life

Confess Quickly — David felt convicted after numbering the people. When God convicts you, do not delay. Sin grows heavier the longer it hides.
Trust God’s Character — Like David, fall into God’s hands. Trust the mercy of the Lord more than your own wisdom or the opinion of others. God disciplines with purpose, not cruelty.
Consider Your Eternal Choices — Earthly decisions matter, but none outweighs your eternal destiny. Choose Christ now. Waiting or ignoring Him means rejecting Him.

Mercy in the Midst of the Judgment of the Lord

The plague struck swiftly, yet God stopped the angel before destroying Jerusalem. In judgment, mercy triumphed, and God revealed His heart: He does not desire to destroy but to redeem.

This moment foreshadowed the ultimate act of mercy—the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. At Calvary, God did not hold back His hand of judgment. Instead, He let it fall on His Son.

A Personal Reflection

Can you imagine standing where David stood and hearing Gad’s question? Which option would you choose? None seems easy. Yet in the end, the best choice always rests in trusting God’s hand.

Life places us in situations where every option feels painful. Perhaps you face illness, financial loss, or strained relationships. In those moments, trust the mercy of the Lord even when it hurts.

Lord, thank you that your mercy runs deeper than our sin. Help us confess quickly when we fail, and trust you fully when the consequences come. Strengthen us to always lean on your mercy.

Check out some other posts on God’s Judgment.