1 Chronicles 13:1-14:7 (Bringing back the ark)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+13%3A1-14%3A7&version=NIV
What jumps out today is the death of Uzzah for touching the Ark of the Covenant. It seems a bit harsh, don’t you think? It’s a good passage to use to scare acolytes regarding taking proper care of worship equipment, but that’s not really the point.
It’s about following the Lord. And there’s a bit of tragic irony in it as well. David’s reason for bringing back the ark was very good. During the reign of Saul, the leaders were not inquiring of the Lord. Things would be different with David as the king. The ark would be used in inquiring of the Lord and seeking His guidance.
Now, it is very good and important to inquire of the Lord, as we should do today. The devotion from a couple days ago made that point. We are to seek the Lord’s guidance instead of merely asking Him to bless the plans we have already made.
But we are always first to consult His clear word of Scripture. That was the problem here. There were explicit instructions in the Law regarding moving the ark. It was to be carried, not placed on a cart (Exodus 25:12-15). And it was never to be touched (Numbers 4:15). So in his eagerness to have the ark in order to inquire of the Lord, David failed to inquire of the Lord’s revelation in His revealed Word.
So my prayer today is that I might be faithful in seeking the Lord’s guidance. But I am also praying for wisdom and understanding and insight in reading and understanding His revealed Word above all for that guidance. The Lord does answer our prayers for guidance in other ways, but always we start and end with the Word.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
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