“David consulted with the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, with every leader. And David said to all the assembly of Israel, ‘If it seems good to you and from the Lord our God, let us send abroad to our brothers who remain in all the lands of Israel, as well as to the priests and Levites in the cities that have pasturelands, that they may be gathered to us. Then let us bring again the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.’ All the assembly agreed to do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
“So David assembled all Israel from the Nile of Egypt to Lebo-hamath... And David and all Israel went up… to Kiriath-jearim that belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord who sits enthroned above the cherubim. And they carried the ark of God on a new cart, from the house of Abinadab, and Uzzah and Ahio were driving the cart. And David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets.
“And when they came to the threshing floor.., Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God. And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah… And David was afraid of God that day.” 1 Chronicles 13:1-12a
His heart meant well, really well. Gather the people, return the ark, rejoice in the Lord’s presence! But if it seems muddied the way of upright attention to God’s details. Intention and emotion adorned with horizontal human consultation drove David’s effort; vertical inquiry of God’s direction was omitted. What is right in the eyes of the people may not be right in the eyes of God. A swift and holy intervention would remind David who was the true King.
He learned his lesson. Anger and fear worked their necessary corrections. His heart after noble desire returned to follow after his Lord. The humbled regent brought ensuing challenges and brilliant ideas directly to Him, who answered with clear instructions, and he heeded his prophet’s words from God. When God directs and we obey, we cannot go wrong, and He gets the glory for the results. (1 Chronicles 14:8-11,13-16; 15:1-4,12-15; 17:1-20)
In those who love Jesus and His people, desires and ideas bloom from benevolence and gratitude, and are often inspired by the Holy Spirit. Yet with every idea we’re warned not to lean on our own understanding but to seek His will and guidance. Consulting trusted others is a help but God’s word should have final say. Sometimes He urges us to complete our intention with action, sometimes He commends our desire but has different, broader plans. (Proverbs 3:5-6; 2 Corinthians 8:5,11-12; 1 John 3:18)
In what situations are we prone to run ahead of the Lord? What plans are we currently making that need pause, and prayer? Would we pay attention to His instructions, timing, and best?
Lord, purify my every motive, impulse, thought, and action that Your will be done and Your glory exalted.
As the rain and snow 