Reading: “And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.” 1 Chronicles 14:17

Daily DevotionalsWhile the reading today speaks of David’s fame, a few chapters later we read of his folly. “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel” (1 Chronicles 21:1). We are left asking, had David become intoxicated with his own success? If adversity tends to menace our spiritual life, the perils of prosperity are far greater.

Unwatchfulness leads to complacency and self-sufficiency. David wished to know the full numerical strength of the nation. He forgot that his strength resided wholly in that One who had multiplied his power and given him such success.

Nothing gives Satan so easy an approach to and such advantage over us as when we are swelled by a sense of our self-importance. It is no coincidence that the theme of humility as discussed by Peter in his first epistle is so quickly followed up by a warning: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8).

Is your cup full. Are you having great success in life or work? Can you say with Daivd, “My cup runeth over”? The only place where we are safe from the danger of a fall is flat on our face before God.

Therefore let’s remember the words of Moses to Israel in Deuteronomy 8:18: “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth.” It is when we are brought low by losses and crosses that we are most cast upon God. Let us learn to cast ourselves on Him even on the mountain-top experiences.

When one thousand are destroyed by the world’s frowns, ten thousand are destroyed by the world’s smiles. The world, siren-like, sings us and sinks us. —Thomas Brooks