Topic: Return of the Ark [Tuesday September 29, 2015]
Text: 1 Chronicles 13:1-14
Key Verse: “And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjathjearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it” (1 Chronicles 13:6 ).
One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency” – Arnold H. Glasow. In emergency situations, even the best of leaders resort to panic actions. The ark, a symbol of God’s presence, power and protection had been captured and kept by the Philistines for seven months.
It was later returned to Israel and kept at Kirjath-jearim, about ten miles from Jerusalem. But king Saul, throughout his reign, treated the ark with disdain as it lay in obscurity. At Hebron, David had been made king over all Israel (1 Chronicles 12:38-40), and one of his foremost duties was to mobilize the people to bring back the ark to Jerusalem without any delay. And this they did with great pomp, joy and dancing. No matter how important and noble our work for the Lord might seem, it is a grievous sin to take Him for granted. Uzza learnt the hard way. While the ark was being brought back to Jerusalem, he put forth his hand to hold and prevent it from falling – a forbidden act. He was immediately visited with the wrath of God; he died. Surrounding the entire episode of Uzza’s ignoble act was the prize of doing a noble deed in an ignoble manner.
The prescription of the law was that the ark should be carried by the sons of Kohath and specifically prohibited the use of a cart; neither should it be touched by a human hand. As we engage in the work of the Lord, we must ensure we do so, not perfunctorily, but with due diligence, reverence and promptness. This is because God’s work is a serious business and we must see it as David regarded it. A carefree and presumptuous attitude to the work of the ministry should be abhorred and avoided.
Thought for the day: Love and reverence, not expediency, must characterize our work for God.
Bible Reading in one Year: 1 John 1-5
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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