TEXT:
‘Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we have not inquired at it since the days of Saul.” Then all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people’ (1 Chronicles 13:3-4)
David’s heart desire was to bring the Ark of the Covenant (the symbol of God’s presence) to Jerusalem. Years earlier the Israelites had lost a battle and the Ark had been taken captive by the Philistines, who soon discovered the God of Israel could look after Himself (see 1 Samuel 4:1 – 7:2). To stop the plagues and safeguard the nation against further calamity, the Philistines sent the Ark back to Beth Shemesh. Tragedy struck the inhabitants when they looked inside the Ark and several died for their lack of reverence. Panic-stricken, the people invited the citizens of Kirjath Jearim to come, take the Ark and look after it.
It was from here that David and all Israel came to transport the Ark to Jerusalem. A carnival atmosphere ensued as the Ark was put on a new cart, as the Philistines had done. Arriving at Chidon’s threshing floor, the oxen stumbled and Uzza put out his hand to steady the Ark. Immediately he died and the celebration party quickly became silent and everyone wondered what to do with the Ark. Eventually it was decided to put the Ark into Obed-Edom’s care and he was consecrated to look after it (see 1 Chronicles 13:13).
Today’s Teaching studies David’s reaction to the setback of his plans and how the matter was resolved.
1. Angry – ‘David lost his temper, angry because God exploded against Uzza’ (1 Chronicles 13:11 MSG)
David was angry with himself, the priests for getting it wrong and even with God who had acted so severely, when Uzza was only trying to protect the Ark. Have you ever been angry with God when things didn’t work out the way you felt they should? The Bible says, ‘If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge. Don’t let the sun go down with you still angry—get over it quickly’ (Ephesians 4:26 TLB). It’s all too easy to add to trouble by a wrong reaction because, ‘The [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behaviour which He requires from us]’ (James 1:20 AMP).
2. Afraid – ‘David was now afraid of God’ (1 Chronicles 13:12 NLT)
David thought, “If God did that to an innocent, caring man, what might He do to a sinful nation?” Adam and Eve were afraid when they ate the fruit of the tree God had told them not to touch or eat from (see Genesis 3:3-10). Godly fear is very important. The Bible says, ‘Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell’ (Matthew 10:28 NLT). This is why the Bible also says, ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’ (Proverbs 9:10). There will always be “innocent casualties” when things are done the wrong way. People may not die, but they will suffer!
3. Ask – ‘He asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of God back into my care?”’ (1 Chronicles 13:12 NLT)
It’s perfectly acceptable to ask a sincere question. Mary said, ‘I am a virgin. How, then, can this be?’ (Luke 1:34). Andrew said, ‘There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?’ (John 6:9). It’s not good to ask a question that doubts God’s ability to answer as the Children of Israel did, ‘Yes, they spoke against God: they said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?’ (Psalm 78:19). Yes, God can, but He does not like hearing unbelief that doubts His ability to provide.
God happily answered Moses’ doubts until he told Him to find someone better for the job. That got God angry for He had already found the right man (see Exodus 3:1 – 4:17).
Gideon wasn’t afraid to ask, after all his life and the lives of his men depended upon him getting it right. God was gracious concerning his fleece and even gave him an extra confirmation he hadn’t asked for. That drove out any fear Gideon had of attacking the Midianites as faith and worship manifested instead (see Judges 6:11 – 7:15).
Three months was a long time for David to keep asking that question, especially when he was used to immediate responses to his commands. The key is, if you wait long enough God will answer, but don’t make the mistake King Saul made. He didn’t wait long enough for Samuel and lost his kingdom as a result (See 1 Samuel 15:10-31). David knew only too well what happened to Saul’s behaviour when he lost God’s favour.
4. Aware – ‘Then King David was told, “The Lord has blessed Obed-Edom’s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God”’ (2 Samuel 6:12 NLT)
God started blessing the house of Obed-Edom and all that he had immediately, but it took three months for the news to filter down to the palace. People start to act differently when they see evidence of God’s blessing. Potiphar and the jailer both promoted Joseph once they saw God’s blessing on his work. How the jailer saw that in the prison I do not know, but it was clear enough for him to start trusting Joseph with everything.
Consider how God’s blessing works. So many go about it the wrong way. They try to get only the blessing, instead of getting God, because the blessing comes with Him. Obed-Edom did nothing, for the situation was thrust upon him suddenly, but if you get the Lord, you get the blessing too! It wasn‘t by works, it came by God’s grace.
When you see evidence of God’s blessing, you can move forward again, even if you have made mistakes in the past. David and Bathsheba’s first child died, but when the second one was born, God sent Nathan the prophet to call the child’s name Jedidiah, which means, Beloved of the Lord (see 2 Samuel 6:25). The Bible says, ‘For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning’ (Psalm 30:5).
Pastors, don‘t beat up the congregation with heavy preaching. Build them up with faith and love, considering yourself just as vulnerable to making mistakes as anyone. By the grace of God, we can move from anger to joy because God’s favour is for life. ‘Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life’ (Psalm 23:6).
The first sign Noah received when he sent out the dove from the ark, was a freshly plucked olive leaf and he knew judgment was over because an olive branch speaks of peace (see Genesis 8:11). It wasn’t long before he was opening the door of the ark and moving out into a new world where the sign of the rainbow would ensure God would never flood the world again!
Look for the signs of God’s blessing on your life or on those involved with what you want to do. It’s a sure sign the way to move forward is now open again!
5. Acknowledge – ‘Because you Levites did not carry the Ark the first time, the anger of the Lord our God burst out against us. We failed to ask God how to move it properly’ (1 Chronicles 15:13 NLT)
They failed to consult the Law of Moses about how the Ark should be moved, so wrong actions resulted. Why should it make such a difference putting the Ark on a cart instead of on their shoulders? It didn’t get the Philistines into trouble when they did it. What God allows the world to get away with He holds His people to account for. His word was very clear about the Tabernacle in the Wilderness. All the items could be transported by cart except the Ark, that had to be carried! David reminded the priests and Levites of their mistake. It wasn’t back to the drawing board, it was back to the manual!
Be quick to acknowledge your mistakes. The prodigal came to his senses and repented. He returned home asking to become a servant but discovered he was still a son! The Bible says, ‘In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths’ (Proverbs 3:6).
Admitting where you got it wrong makes it much easier to get it right. When Samuel told King Saul he had done the wrong thing, Saul kept insisting he had done God’s will. That course of action leads to self-deception. The main difference between Saul and David was how long it took for each to say, “I have sinned”. Once David was confronted with his sin, he immediately acknowledged it and repented.
All of us face setbacks, even when we sincerely believe we are moving ahead in God’s will. If you have come to a standstill, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s forever. Look for the signs of God’s blessing, acknowledge where you got it wrong, follow the manual and you will see closed doors open for you once again!
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