By Bob Vaughn - uca@uncommonanswers.com
"Contending for the faith once delivered to the saints"
Uncommon Answers Home Page
GOD'S WAY
King David, some 1,000 years before Christ, was inclined to do that
which seemed good to him in bringing the ark of God from Kirjathjearim
to Jerusalem. After much preparation and with much joy he proceeded to
do just that.
A new cart was built to carry the ark of God. As they were bringing the
ark the people sang and made music with all their might. Everything
seemed beautiful until the oxen shook the cart and the ark of God began
to fall. Uzza put forth his hand to steady it. Uzza immediately died.
But why? The people were sincere. They were praising God. They were
even trying to do something to please God. David feared that day and
detoured the ark of God to the house of Obededon, questioning, "How
shall I bring the ark of God home to me?"
This is the position of many Christians today. They are sincere; they
are praising God; they are even trying to do something to please God.
But they find that God is not honoring their efforts. The reason is the
same reason God did not honor David's effort to bring the ark to
Jerusalem. They, as David, are not doing the deed according to God's
Word; God's way. David said, "God broke out against us, because we did
not consult Him about the proper order".
When David realized the error of his way, he ordered that none but the
Levites ought to carry the ark of God. This was God's way as commanded
by God in Deuteronomy 10:8. Now that they were in God's order, the ark
of God was brought to Jerusalem with shouting, singing, dancing, and
much music.
If today we would realize the error of our way and correct it, as David
did, we would find that God would honor our efforts. The ark of God
symbolized God's presence in Israel. It was to be cared for in the way
God had commanded. Today the church symbolizes God's presence in the
world. It also should be cared for in a particular way; the way God
commanded.
Then
we would not need to depend upon emotionalism, showmanship, talent, or
pledges. It may be a novel idea, but we could depend on God. When we do
things God's way His favor is manifest by people being saved and
delivered, and the saints being secured and growing. It's the preaching
of the cross, holy living, and order in the house of prayer that God
honors.
Christian, you too, are a symbol of God's presence in the world. Your
life should be cared for in a particular way. If you will order your
life consistent with God's Word, He will honor your efforts. Otherwise
you will need to depend upon worldly things to build a shell of a life,
and it will not stand in the judgment. Would you trade your way for
God's way? Do it! You may lose the honor of men but you will gain God's
honor.
God loves you and desires to honor your efforts and to bless you. Find
God's way. It is straight and narrow, but it's the only blessed way!
Bob Vaughn