32. Get clear guidance from God

Last week we learned how David enquired with God on what to do as the Philistines came against him. He was just crowned king and the enemy was lining up. But David didn't fear, he immediately went to God and asked Him what to do. And then he was obedient to God's instructions. This resulted in victory for David and all of Israel as a whole. And we learned that we should always consult God in everything, especially when all is well and we are living our dreams. We should never forget about God but keep Him foremost in our minds.

Now after David defeated the Philistines, he gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand in total. He took all of them to go and fetch the ark of God from the house of Abinadab. Why did he need so many men to gather the ark of the Lord? It is because David wanted to honor and glorify God in the process. He wanted all the best men there to rejoice with him in bringing the ark to the tabernacle that David erected for it in Jerusalem. He wanted God magnified in the eyes of the people and he wanted them to celebrate with him that God was now coming to dwell with them:

"And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring from there the ark of God, whose name is called the Name, the Lord of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim." 2 Samuel 6:2

David celebrated this return of the ark to Israel. They played music with all kinds of instruments to the glory of God. It was truly a festive atmosphere, a joyous occasion. But then something terrible happened.

"And when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of the God." 2 Samuel 6, 7

It came as a total shock to David. Here they were celebrating in the presence of the Lord and the next moment someone was struck dead because he tried to stabilize the ark from falling. David felt that it was unfair and he became afraid of the Lord (2 Samuel 6:9). David then refrained from bringing the ark to Jerusalem and instead he took it to the house of Obed-Edom. But three months later he heard how blessed the house of Obed-Edom was and decided to bring the ark to Jerusalem. Again they made music to the Lord and David danced with all his might. But this time they sacrificed oxen and sheep after every sixth step. So they bought the ark into Jerusalem and there David sacrificed some more and blessed the people in the Name of the Lord. He also gave a loaf of bread, a piece of meat and a cake of raisins to each person to celebrate with.

David's heart was right; he wanted the Lord close to him, close to Israel. But he went about it the wrong way. He didn't know that the ark had to be carried with specific poles and by purified priests etc. The reason was that God was holy and couldn't come into contact with unholiness as Jesus hadn't died yet. His holiness will burn up anything unholy that touches it. This is what happened to Uzzah. Now today we needn't worry about that, because Jesus has now clothed us with His robe of righteousness and therefore we can come close to God, hallelujah!

The lesson here for me today is the following - David wanted to do something special for God. But he went about doing it the wrong way. I think this is true of us today as well. Many times we want to do something for God. And in our hurried way we go about it the wrong way. We should rather spend time with God and ask Him to help us to be clear about the way that we should handle the situation. Our zeal can sometimes be a bit misdirected at the cost of those closest to us. For example we can become so involved at church that it influences our time spent with our families. It is a good thing, but is it truly where God wants you now? Make sure that you are where God wants you to be. And once you are sure, celebrate it like David did. Don't hide it under a basket. David could have stayed sad due to what had happened to Uzzah, he could have brought back the ark under solemn circumstances, but he didn't. He rejoiced and danced to the Lord in delight. We should be the same. We should celebrate the presence of God in our lives. We should dance and rejoice that He is part of our everyday lives. All glory and honor to Him!

Father please guide us in what You want us to do for You. Help us to see the bigger picture as You do. You know best and we love You for it. Guide us onto Your ways everlasting. Thank you Father. We love You and rejoice in all that You are doing in our lives! Amen

1 comment for “32. Get clear guidance from God”

  1. Gravatar of RonelleRonelle
    Posted Sunday, 23 August 2020 at 1:02:41 PM

    Fortunately, today we can say "We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!"

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