And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness. And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. (2 Sam. 6:5-7, 12-15)
After defeating the Philistines, David sought to bring up the ark of the LORD from where it had been and bring it into Jerusalem. God had not instructed him to move the ark, nor did David remember the instructions on how the ark was to be transported. During the celebration as the ark moved, having been placed on a cart instead of carried by the priests, a young man was struck down for touching the ark. This interrupted the transport for a time until David understood his error and had the priests carry the ark as instructed. After a time, and carried according to the Law, the priests brought the ark up to the city and the city rejoiced and celebrated its arrival.
Wanting the spiritual blessings of God which David perceived to come from the presence of the ark and wanting it centrally located in Israel, David attempted to bring the ark to Jerusalem. Though his worship was right and the celebration before the Lord with instruments and dancing was not in error, the methods of doing the work were not according to God’s instruction. God had told the people of Israel that the priests and Levites were to carry the ark on wooden poles, not the common transport of an ox-cart. The stumbling and subsequent death of Uzzah showed God’s displeasure with those who disobey and in this case, because it was the ark of the Lord which symbolized His presence, there was no grace for the transgression. David realized his error and after considering whether the ark should come to him, David had the ark brought in the correct way and with much celebration as he leaped and skipped as a child before the ark and before the Lord. Though Micah was upset with his actions, all of Israel rejoiced and celebrated their king and the arrival of the ark in Jerusalem.
God will bless His people when they do His work His way. When we try to accomplish those programs we want done or try to do that which is of God but in our own way, God does not bless it. They may appear to prosper initially or for a time because of our efforts, the work and the results are not of God and will not last. God has given us that which we need to trust and obey Him and His Word as we reach the lost who do not have a relationship with Him by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. He will equip and empower His people in obedience to His command to us to teach the nations all that He has commanded in His Word, and will go before us and give us what to say as we preach His Word in season and out to whosoever will receive Him. The missions, ministries, and discipleship we do in obedience to our Lord’s commands are to focus on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Good News of repentance and reconciliation with the Father unto Eternal Life and our growth in Him. Christians, those truly born again in Christ, by faith through His grace, are to be obedient to His Word and seek His will, His ways, and His glory until He is done with us.
Until that day, God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Wanting the spiritual blessings of God which David perceived to come from the presence of the ark and wanting it centrally located in Israel, David attempted to bring the ark to Jerusalem. Though his worship was right and the celebration before the Lord with instruments and dancing was not in error, the methods of doing the work were not according to God’s instruction. God had told the people of Israel that the priests and Levites were to carry the ark on wooden poles, not the common transport of an ox-cart. The stumbling and subsequent death of Uzzah showed God’s displeasure with those who disobey and in this case, because it was the ark of the Lord which symbolized His presence, there was no grace for the transgression. David realized his error and after considering whether the ark should come to him, David had the ark brought in the correct way and with much celebration as he leaped and skipped as a child before the ark and before the Lord. Though Micah was upset with his actions, all of Israel rejoiced and celebrated their king and the arrival of the ark in Jerusalem.
God will bless His people when they do His work His way. When we try to accomplish those programs we want done or try to do that which is of God but in our own way, God does not bless it. They may appear to prosper initially or for a time because of our efforts, the work and the results are not of God and will not last. God has given us that which we need to trust and obey Him and His Word as we reach the lost who do not have a relationship with Him by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. He will equip and empower His people in obedience to His command to us to teach the nations all that He has commanded in His Word, and will go before us and give us what to say as we preach His Word in season and out to whosoever will receive Him. The missions, ministries, and discipleship we do in obedience to our Lord’s commands are to focus on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Good News of repentance and reconciliation with the Father unto Eternal Life and our growth in Him. Christians, those truly born again in Christ, by faith through His grace, are to be obedient to His Word and seek His will, His ways, and His glory until He is done with us.
Until that day, God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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