“Through the prophet Gad, God commanded David to give a sin offering on the threshing floor of Araunah. This was because although God’s punishment of Israel was over, David was not yet able to enjoy complete restoration in the seat of grace. … God saw what David did and heard his prayer, and responded to his obedience by stopping the plague. Through this, the people of Israel learned that what they needed to rely on was not the king who could become the cause of a plague at any time, but God alone, who has the power to send down and stop plagues. The books of Samuel begin with Hannah’s prayer of worship and trust in God’s faithfulness and end with the image of David worshiping and trusting in God’s faithfulness. Pray that God will also cover the beginning and end of our lives with his faithfulness. Leave everything up to God faithfully and sincerely, with all your heart, so that your life and future depend only on God.”