DOING IT GOD'S WAY



 2 Samuel 6

The story of David and the ark of the covenant is familiar.  David made king of Israel.  He defeats the Philistines and decides to bring the ark to the City of David.  His first attempt ends in tragedy when Uzzah is struck dead by God for grabbing the ark in an effort to prevent it from falling from the cart on which it was being carried.  David leaves the ark at the home of Obed-Edom for three months before attempting a second time to bring it to Jerusalem.  This time his effort is met with success and the whole house of Israel celebrates with him.

I’m wondering about the nature of the difference between the two attempts which caused one to be successful while the other failed.  The common explanation is undoubtedly correct.  The ark was supposed to be carried with poles by priests, not moved on a cart like common furniture.  Had it been carried properly the first time it would not have been in danger of falling and Uzzah would not have touched it and died.

But I’m wondering about what lay behind the decision to use a cart the first time.  Surely there were priests who knew how the ark was supposed to be transported.  Why didn’t they speak up?  Or perhaps they did speak and David ignored them.  We cannot know what happened.  But I do see this:  There is no reference to David inquiring of the Lord about retrieving the ark.  In chapter 5 David inquires of the Lord twice about whether he should do battle with the Philistines.  When it comes to the ark, no such inquiry is recorded.

Perhaps David was very much like us.  Perhaps he was so sure that he was doing a good thing, a holy thing, that there was no need to seek God’s face.  If he was doing a spiritual thing, surely God would bless it and give him success.  But he didn’t get God’s direction and as a result he did the deed the wrong way and a man died.

I think the lesson is that even when we are trying to serve the Lord we need to seek his face in order to ensure that we’re doing it the way God wants it done.  I know God wants me to plant New Hope Community Church.  I know it is a spiritual and holy employment.  But that doesn’t mean I can just go about it any way I want to.  God has a way he wants this church planted and if I want to obey him and avoid a Uzzah-like disaster, I need to seek his face and wait for him to show me his way!