Power: "Last" Thoughts

I think this will be the last post on power and it comes from my prayer partner, Dan, from Portland. He reminded me of 1 Chronicles 13 that tells the story of King David desiring to bring back the ark of God.

Begin with verse five: So David assembled all the Israelites, from the Shihor River in Egypt to Lebo Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim. 6 David and all the Israelites with him went to Baalah of Judah (Kiriath Jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name.
7 They moved the ark of God from Abinadab's house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. 8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets.
9 When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. 10 The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.
11 Then David was angry because the LORD's wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.
12 David was afraid of God that day and asked, "How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?" 13 He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 14 The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed his household and everything he had.

Moving ahead two chapters:
1 After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. 2 Then David said, "No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD chose them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before him forever." …
11 Then David summoned Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab the Levites. 12 He said to them, "You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate yourselves and bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. 13 It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the LORD our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way." 14 So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel. 15 And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD.

The doctrine of God’s love and grace are prevalent in Christian circles these days, for which I am grateful. However, I believe this passage reminds us that God has His plan for our lives and gives the Bible as a directive for us. As we follow Him, blessing results. Violation of Scripture, of His plan for us, results in “chaff which the wind drives away.”

This passage reminds us, “It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the LORD our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way."

Dan comments: I know we are under the new covenant, but it seems to me that this incident still speaks to us. When we want to use God’s power, as symbolized by the “ark,” we must always approach it with reverence and in a way that honors God. Our best intentions are not good enough. We must seek His face and His will if we are to engage with His power and it must always bring glory to Him.

The book of Acts reminds us “and you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you…” God’s power is availabale to us but it can’t be used indiscriminately.Thanks Dan for these wise words of challenge.

Going to Kentucky. Be back in a week.