Are you moved enough by discipline to experience God's mercy? 1 Chronicles 20-24

1 Chronicles 21:17 (NASBStr)

David said to God, “Is it not I who commanded to count the people? Indeed, I am the one who has sinned and done very wickedly, but these sheep, what have they done? O Lord my God, please let Your hand be against me and my father’s household, but not against Your people that they should be plagued.”

The story behind the above confession of King David is key to embracing his words.   David had been moved by Satan to "number" all the men of war ... taking inventory to show your muscle and might (21:1).   Because it was based upon pride and lacked any sense of faith God sent a plague to discipline the King.  In Chronicles 21:13 David declares a desire for the plague to be God's instrument of discipline rather than allowing his enemies to be used by God for the correction process (this is similar to a child choosing to have his mother spank him than his father ... mothers are filled with compassion; dad's judgement).   The reason David chooses the rod of the plague over the rod of his enemies is that he knew God is full of compassion and mercy.   As God is "administrating" the punishment via the plague, David's above words are uttered. The King wanted mercy to be shown to his people.  The plague had taken 70,000 of David's "sheep."   As a former shepherd, David could not take the slaughter of innocence.   Hence the above confession and plea to God's mercy.   The significant aspect of this story is that although King David was moved with ego by Satan, God used this opportunity to show His mercy.   At the very place that God stopped the plague, David would dedicate to God.  God eventually would have the Temple built by Solomon in that very spot.   The place of the plague would become the place of worship.   The place of David's ego would become the place of his humility.   The place of God's wrath would become the place of His abundant mercy.   This is what God does with us in the midst of our sin.   God takes our sins and turns them into scars that show His mercy and love.   God is a God of mercy.  He moves us to humility to show us His mercy in the midst of our sin.