Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 6:1-11.
“Now David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose and went with all the people who were with him to Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God which is called by the Name, the very name of the LORD of hosts who is enthroned above the cherubim. They placed the ark of God on a new cart that they might bring it from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart. So they brought it with the ark of God from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Ahio was walking ahead of the ark. Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals.
But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it. And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God. David became angry because of the LORD’S outburst against Uzzah, and that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day. So David was afraid of the LORD that day; and he said, “How can the ark of the LORD come to me?” And David was unwilling to move the ark of the LORD into the city of David with him; but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. Thus the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and all his household.” 2 Samuel 6:1-11.
——————-
“10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.” Proverbs 9:10-12.
Regarding how the ark of the LORD and all the other holy objects were to be moved, the LORD commanded through His Law that they be carried by the Kohathites through the use of “carrying poles”, (not by other means such as by a cart), “so that they will not touch the holy objects and die.”
“When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is to set out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them, so that they will not touch the holy objects and die. These are the things in the tent of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.” Numbers 4:15. Regarding the use of “carrying poles”, see Numbers 4:5-14.
More generally, for us today, we can use today’s Scripture to meditate on the following three points: the holiness of the LORD, our need for the LORD to draw us to Himself, and we cannot worship the LORD as we please (but rather we must worship the LORD as He pleases according to His word).
First, the LORD is thrice holy, and no one can approach the LORD unless He allows it and causes it to occur.
“And one called out to another and said,
“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts,
The whole earth is full of His glory.” Isaiah 6:3.
“… For who would dare to risk his life to approach Me?’ declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 30:21.
“How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You
To dwell in Your courts.
We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house,
Your holy temple.” Psalm 65:4.
Second, we can not worship the LORD as we please. Although “David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals”, such worship did not eliminate the requirement that the LORD be worshipped in reverence according to His Law.
“10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 2:10-12.
Third, we cannot even approach the LORD through our own will and our own works. Like David, we should fear the LORD and, so to speak, ask: “How can the ark of the LORD come to me?”
The LORD comes to us through His will, not our will.
“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:15-16.
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:44.
Consider that if those who heard Jesus’ pure words of preaching and teaching and saw His miracles in person could not come to Him unless it was granted to them by God the Father, how much more is it true for us today!
“And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”
As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.” John 6:65-66.
In summary, we can only come to the LORD if the LORD draws us and gives us His Spirit. We can only worship the LORD in the truth of what He provides through His Word. “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 