In His Word: Daily Devotional Thoughts

THURSDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2024

TEXT: 1 Chronicles 13:1-14

1. Then David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.

2. And David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if it is of the LORD our God, let us send out to our brethren everywhere who are left in all the land of Israel, and with them to the priests and Levites who are in their cities and their common-lands, that they may gather together to us;

3. and let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we have not inquired at it since the days of Saul.”

4. Then all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

5. So David gathered all Israel together, from Shinor in Egypt to as far as the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath Jearim.

6. And David and all Israel went up to Baalah, to Kirjath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who dwells between the cherubim, where His name is proclaimed.

7. So they carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.

8. Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets.

9. And when they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled.

10. Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.

11. And David became angry because of the LORD’s outbreak against Uzza; therefore that place is called Perez Uzza to this day.

12. David was afraid of God that day saying, “How can I bring the ark of God to me?”

13. So David would not move the ark with him into the City of David, but took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

14. The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that he had.

(New King James Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: SEEKING GOD WITH AN OBEDIENT HEART

Because the Ark of the covenant signified God's presence, David wanted it back in Jerusalem. But it did not make it to Jerusalem as the unfortunate death of Uzzah put an end to the joyful procession.

He had touched the ark, which is an offence punishable by death. That was a poignant reminder to David that obeying the Lord is more important than his enthusiasm.

In our quest to serve God, we must not ignore His instructions as contained in the Scripture. That God blessed Obed-Edom's home where the ark was stored demonstrated the fact that great blessings come to those who obey God while severe punishment awaits those who disobey Him.

QUESTION: Have you been disobeying God's instructions by doing things your own way?

PRAYER: O God, please help me to seek after You in obedience to Your laws all the days of my life in Jesus name. Amen.