1 Again David gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the LORD of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. 3 So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. 4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill, accompanying the ark of God; and Ahio went before the ark. 5 Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the LORD on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals.
6 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. 7 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 God. 8 And David became angry because of the LORD’s outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day. - 2 Samuel, chapter 6 (NKVJ)
6 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. 7 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 God. 8 And David became angry because of the LORD’s outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day. - 2 Samuel, chapter 6 (NKVJ)
When things are moving and God is setting up a new thing (or new level of an old thing) its a time frame that is replete with temptations and challenges. Read the scripture above from 2 Samuel as an example of God's moving and of the demands God makes in such a time.
Points of background to this scripture: 1) God has always desired to dwell among men; the strength of His desire for us is forever burning and has been more than we can understand. 2) God does not need man's help to accomplish anything. 3) God has never been surprised by anything. Ever.
If you have issues with any of those points feel free to email me, I don't want to expand those points here this morning. Otherwise, lets examine the word of the Lord.
We should dwell on the lack of understanding that was suffered here in that the ark was supposed to be carried by priests on poles that would touch the ark directly. The biggest issue here is that the 'event administrators' (David and whoever) thought they could make the transition simply by their zeal and the process that accomplished the movement was secondary (if that). Oxen could not 'trouble' the ark if the way of God had been followed. (Its an intriguing question as to what would happen if one of the priests carrying the ark stumbled. As long as they were walking in God's ways, there would always be mercy for man's weakness... I have confidence that there would not have been judgment.)
Men still wrestle with God in their zeal... presuming it to be a righteous thing to 'help' God rather than following His ways. Not everyone gets to carry the ark. And to those appointed to do so, its not a privilege they have earned. They do qualify by their lifestyles to do so in the moment, but the calling is not given by man. Same thing with a real, breathing apostle or prophet. Their appointment is not by their own "goodness" or "academic accomplishment" or anything we can safely assume is righteous. Moses stuttered. Paul killed Christians. Charisma and strong personality actually can cloud the issue. Saul had the physical qualifications of what the nation wanted in a king. David was the lovesick worshipper whose greatest accomplishments were in the spirit as a worshipper, far away from the observant and people looking for a leader.
I've strayed a bit but had to unload this. God is building a house of prayer in our day that no man starts or carries. The reality is that we are invited to join Him. Don't touch the ark. Let the joy of God's availability through the death of His Son be enough. If He calls you to bear weight, do so trembling... because its outrageous that men like us would be called to such glory. If not, don't derail what God is doing by helping Him out. John the baptist said it well when he declared: 'A man can receive nothing except what is given to him from heaven.' And I tell you what I heard in the court of heaven personally: "The ark is coming." Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
2 Samuel 14:14 (The Message) - "Water spilled on the ground can't be gathered up again. But God does not take away life. He works out ways to get the exile back."
2 Chronicles 15:7 (NIV) - "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."
Points of background to this scripture: 1) God has always desired to dwell among men; the strength of His desire for us is forever burning and has been more than we can understand. 2) God does not need man's help to accomplish anything. 3) God has never been surprised by anything. Ever.
If you have issues with any of those points feel free to email me, I don't want to expand those points here this morning. Otherwise, lets examine the word of the Lord.
We should dwell on the lack of understanding that was suffered here in that the ark was supposed to be carried by priests on poles that would touch the ark directly. The biggest issue here is that the 'event administrators' (David and whoever) thought they could make the transition simply by their zeal and the process that accomplished the movement was secondary (if that). Oxen could not 'trouble' the ark if the way of God had been followed. (Its an intriguing question as to what would happen if one of the priests carrying the ark stumbled. As long as they were walking in God's ways, there would always be mercy for man's weakness... I have confidence that there would not have been judgment.)
Men still wrestle with God in their zeal... presuming it to be a righteous thing to 'help' God rather than following His ways. Not everyone gets to carry the ark. And to those appointed to do so, its not a privilege they have earned. They do qualify by their lifestyles to do so in the moment, but the calling is not given by man. Same thing with a real, breathing apostle or prophet. Their appointment is not by their own "goodness" or "academic accomplishment" or anything we can safely assume is righteous. Moses stuttered. Paul killed Christians. Charisma and strong personality actually can cloud the issue. Saul had the physical qualifications of what the nation wanted in a king. David was the lovesick worshipper whose greatest accomplishments were in the spirit as a worshipper, far away from the observant and people looking for a leader.
I've strayed a bit but had to unload this. God is building a house of prayer in our day that no man starts or carries. The reality is that we are invited to join Him. Don't touch the ark. Let the joy of God's availability through the death of His Son be enough. If He calls you to bear weight, do so trembling... because its outrageous that men like us would be called to such glory. If not, don't derail what God is doing by helping Him out. John the baptist said it well when he declared: 'A man can receive nothing except what is given to him from heaven.' And I tell you what I heard in the court of heaven personally: "The ark is coming." Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
2 Samuel 14:14 (The Message) - "Water spilled on the ground can't be gathered up again. But God does not take away life. He works out ways to get the exile back."
2 Chronicles 15:7 (NIV) - "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."
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