1 Chronicles 21:15-30
God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem, but was saddened by the calamity (15). “Then David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, with his drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, covered with sackcloth, fell on their faces.” (16) David took full responsibility for his sin [not blaming others] pleading with God to move His hand of judgment from the people to himself (17). Then the angel of God spoke to David to build an altar to the Lord, so he requested the land belonging to Ornan for the full price. Ornan offered to give the land, the offerings and all that was necessary for the burnt offerings. “But King David said to Ornan, ‘No, but I will surely buy it for the full price; for I will not take what is yours for the LORD, or offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing.’” (24). Having taken full responsibility and paying the full price for the burnt offering, God answered with fire from heaven and the angel put his sword and away. In gratitude David offered another sacrifice there being terrified to go to God at the place of the tabernacle. We must learn to worship at the place of repentance in the fear of God being confident in the mercy of God! Our faith and confidence in approaching God rests in Who He is and Whose we are!