Prayer: Father, may I learn from the stories of the kings, like David. Teach me today. Amen.
Reading: 1 Chronicles 13 key: vs. 6-8 “David and all Israel went up to Baalah, to Kiriath-jearim, that was in Judah to bring up from there the Ark of God, Adonai who sits enthroned above the cheruvim, which is called by His Name. They transported the Ark of God upon a new cart from the house of Abinadab. Uzza and Ahio guided the cart while David and all Israel celebrated before God with all their might, with songs, lyres, harps, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.” TLV
Attention: I remember a short story which I was assigned to read in high school (I do not remember the name or author); however, I do recall the gist of the story. It was about a store owner who had a laborer who worked for him, ferrying his goods to him by horse and wagon. As I recall, it was a several days journey in both directions and the laborer would have to camp out under the stars.
The laborer was known to be uneducated and could not read. He was a hard worker, but the store owner was tired of the laborer not paying his bills and pilfering from the supplies and cache of alcohol which the store owner had purchased.
The store owner sent the laborer off to secure supplies for the store but this time the laborer did not return. He sent a man out to find him and discovered the laborer deceased sitting next to a smoldering campfire and an opened casket of wood alcohol.
Today, David had good intentions to return the Ark of the Covenant, back to Jerusalem, but he did not follow instructions. Adonai gave Moses on how to instruct the Levites on handling the Ark. The Levite priests were those designated by God to oversee the moving of the Ark (Deuteronomy 10:8a; 1 Chronicles 15:13-15). It is difficult for me to imagine that the Levites of David’s time did not consult him about the proper procedures given by God for the handling of the Ark.
How many times do we run off ahead of God, rather than consulting him or reading the directions and wisdom of scripture. Knowledge of God’s instructions and the application of them could have spared Uzza’s life. Knowledge and application can save our lives too.
Action: I choose to be knowledgeable of God’s word and apply it to my life!
Yield: I choose to submit to the authority of God’s word and apply it to my life.
Engage: I choose to engage with the Holy Spirit in being knowledgeable about God’s word.
Relationship: I choose to live in holy, intimate, obedient relationship with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, we cannot plead ignorance about Your word since it is available in print for us to read. Help us to be knowledgeable followers of God’s word. Amen.
Memory Verse: Psalms 119:103-106 “How sweet is Your word to my taste— yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get discernment, therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn and confirmed to observe Your righteous rulings.” TLV
Music Video: Jeremy Camp—Word of Life https://youtu.be/Hjf278z1atY?si=Hc3aVMQB4U4v_7Ea
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”