Seeking God's INSTRUCTION

There is, perhaps, nothing a Christian needs to more closely examine than his or her own presumed views and habits, for we are so prone to take God’s divine approval of them for granted, rather than seeking out his counsel and instruction in the Word! Let us examine ourselves, our habits, our ways and see if there is anything that is hindering us from fully following God. 

1 Chronicles 13 tells the account of King Davids endeavor to bring the ark of God back to Jerusalem. David just became King of Israel and is living in Jerusalem. He has good intentions of bringing the ark of God to Jerusalem. All Israel goes to get the ark. They put it on a new cart to bring to Jerusalem. "And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God. And David was angry because the LORD had broken out against Uzzah."-1 Chronicles 13:9-11 

Even though David and all of Israel have good and right intentions to please the Lord, they did not seek His instruction. Uzzah perishes because of his lack of knowledge in understanding of how to correctly carry the ark of God. David learns a harsh lesson and seeks the Lord for instructions of how to correctly carry the ark of God.

Two chapters later, David realizes God is blessing the house of Obed-Edom because of the ark. He goes to bring it to Jerusalem, however he does it differently this time. He does not put the ark on a CART like he did the first time. David seeks the Lord's instruction. He realizes that no one but a Levite can carry the ark of God. In 1 Chronicles 15:13-15, David says, "Because you (Levites) did not carry the ark the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule."

The priests and the Levites consecrate themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord. This time, the Levites carry the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD.

"So all Israel brought up the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD with shouting, to the sound of the horn, trumpets, and cymbals, and made loud music on harps and lyres" (vs28). 

So often we are like David and Uzzah, we have good intentions to follow God and seek him but we are not going about it in the right way. Hosea said the people perish because they lack knowledge. We must examine our own presumed views and habits, rather than taking God’s divine approval of them for granted. Let us examine ourselves, our habits, our ways and see if there is anything that is hindering us from fully following God. 

Lord, search us this day. Search our hearts and minds and bring to our attention any hbait or presumed view that might hinder us from following You!