SCRIPTURE: 1 Chronicles 13
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
David was now afraid of God, and he asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of God back into my care?” So David did not move the Ark into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath. The Ark of God remained there in Obed-edom’s house for three months, and the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom and everything he owned. [1 Chronicles 13:12-14]
At first glance, this story seems to make God look cruel; how can God treat Uzzah like this, his intentions were good?
But for the Jewish audience, they would have known right away what was going on, and why things went this way.
David, the priests and the levites, and the people knew better; God’s law was very specific as to how the ark was to be treated.
It was not to be placed on a cart, nor pulled by cattle; it was to be carried by the levites, under the direction of the priests [1 Chronicles 13:2, 1 Chronicles 15:11-15].
But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed… When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” [Luke 7:6-7,9]
Here we have a non-Jewish officer who respects the Lord’s authority more than the people that should have known better; Jesus marvels at this!
Why is it that people who should know better often dishonour the God and Lord they claim to want to serve?
Why is it that often it is people who sing praises and listen to sermons, who with their next breath are criticizing others, treating sinners with contempt, ignoring the poor, living selfishly.
Its not that the Lord has not made His instructions plain.
This story is a reminder that we need to look again at what Jesus said, and what He asked of us.
The Lord is gracious, but the time will come when He will say, ‘Enough!’
It took a harsh reminder from God to get through to David.
May we not wait for a harsh reminder from the Lord to recall that He meant what He said when He said: love your neighbours, forgive and love your enemies, turn the other cheek, be merciful, etc.
PRAYER:
Lord, David meant well, but he missed the mark. Show me (gently) where I am missing the mark, and help me to change.
Your will be done. I must from day to day do His will and not mine nor be men pleasers. If it seemed good to them and the Lord is putting the emphasis wrong. Today, God Is First. Because it seemed right to the people is not the same as inquiring of the Lord. We must inquire of God first.
Walk with Him this day.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Refrain
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
Refrain
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Refrain