6/7

1 Chronicles 15:13

¹³Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule."

When David united the kingdom his desire was to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem where he was going to reign. God had not yet shown the nation where He desired it to be kept. King Saul had not inquired of the ark, but King David wanted to be sure he was obedient to God. On the first attempt to bring it, Uzzah touched the ark to steady it and was struck dead. This angered David. Why would God strike someone dead when David was only seeking to please God?

Our passage explains part of the reason. (See Through the Bible Daily Devotional (May 28) for more.) They were not carrying the ark according to God's direction. Instead, they had chosen an easier way, the way the Philistines had sent it to them, on a cart. God's instructions were ignored.

We might think, "What's the difference, on a cart or on poles that men carry?" But God gave us His word for our good and to teach us about spiritual things. The ark is the throne of God. It is most holy and was a picture of God's grand plan of redeeming man. The blood of atonement would come between God's presence over the mercy seat (the lid) and the Law inside the ark that condemns us. David was unintentionally making light of this glorious plan, the very reason he could be forgiven of his sins.

Zeal for God is not enough. We need the instruction of the Word to understand the will of God. Our neglect of the Word can result in severe loss. It is given to us for our good to instruct us in the way of truth.

Consider: Zeal for God must be accompanied by the boundaries of the Word of God if we are to serve God in a way that is pleasing to Him.