As a Believer, I cannot ignore the troubling story and warning in 1 Chronicles 13. It demands answers and a deeper understanding. Therefore, I investigated to gain clarity and insight. 1 Chronicles 13 vs 9 is startling because God strikes Uzzah dead for being helpful by steadying the Ark of the Covenant.
WHY WOULD GOD DO THAT TO SOMEONE EXERCISING RESPECT AND HONOUR?
As we look at the entire chapter of 1 Chronicles 13, there is an incredibly valuable lesson that I have gotten wrong. Many times.
Have you ever enthusiastically pursued something related to Christianity, only to have it backfire and leave you confused as to why it didn’t work out as expected? I have.
We see in 1 Chronicles that David consulted his advisors and not God. Note David says, “If it SEEMS right and is from the Lord.” Evidently, David was leaning on his own understanding. David was placing what he thought God would want ahead of asking God what He wants.
HOW MANY TIMES DO WE THINK ON BEHALF OF GOD, INSTEAD OF ASKING GOD?
‘Enduring Word’ sheds a critical understanding that we need to comprehend, practice, and repent from when we step out of turn thinking we are honouring God. To quote, ‘Much service for the LORD is like this – a new cart, a big production, with strength leading and friendly out front – yet all done without inquiring of God or looking to His will. Surely David prayed for God’s blessing on this big production, but he didn’t inquire of God regarding the production itself. This was a good thing done the wrong way.’- https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/1-chronicles-13/
‘Enduring Word’, explains, “Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark: This was strictly forbidden. Regarding the transporting of the ark Numbers 4:15 says, they shall not touch any holy thing lest they die. He did it because the oxen stumbled (perhaps seeing the grain on the threshing floor) and he feared that perhaps the ark might fall off the new cart and crash to the ground. He believed that his hand on the ark was better than the ark on the g round.Uzza decided in a moment to disregard God’s command and do what seemed right to him. This shows us that even our decisions made in a moment matter before God.’
A Personal Story:
Financially, 2023 has been a tough year. I was unsure what God was doing in my life. Eventually, with much prayer and fasting, and a meeting with church leadership I went back to work after being self-employed for a number of years. Simultaneously, I needed to move home. This has been a gritting journey that has tested my faith. I have clung to God for dear life. I knew that if I let go even a little I would fall down a rabbit hole that I never want to go through again. After praying and asking God to please take the wheel so that I find a place He chooses for me knowing that He knows what my finances can handle. I also wanted to avoid been taken in by my ego that is easily charmed by glittered finishes as I like beautiful things. Needless to say I was declined by a few places, and my heart sank. I kept praying, kept giving my tithes and small offerings, reading His Word, doing my best to depend on Him and not my understanding.
TODAY……
Not only is this blog an answer to prayer, as I have been too exhausted to write a blog for over a month, and I don’t want to write out of turn; I received a call from the estate agent with a perfect place for my needs- a garden, two bedrooms, spacious for me to write, and interestingly at the same price I was declined for by others even though it is well within my affordability. On top of which the owners are freshly renovating it for me (I didn’t ask this).
The point is that, unlike David and Uzzah, I have practiced reverent fear of God, trying my best to not step out on my own, but staying close to God as He directs and I obey.
1 Chronicles 13 vs 12-14, ends with God’s Character beautifully displayed. God wants to bless us, but that blessing comes with a clause- we must obey Him.
This remarkable chapter reminds us we are to step out for God, doing things His way, BUT, more importantly as He directs us.
#Hayibo 