As He Really Is...

We had a sick child this weekend, so we didn't go to church on Sunday. Though we weren't able to worship with the Noonday Family, God gave beautiful worship through His Word. Here are some verses that God challenged me with:

"And David was angry because the LORD had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzza to this day. And David was afraid of God that day, and he said, "How can I bring the ark of God home to me?" So David did not take the ark home into the city of David, but took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite." 1 Chronicles 13:11-13


In this story, the Ark was being brought by David back from Kiraith-jearim. Yet on the way, because they had not obeyed the commands how the ark should be carried and transported, it almost fell from the cart. A man named Uzzah reached out to keep it from falling and he was killed. David was angry at God for this...and then became too afraid to allow the ark to come with him. He sent it away to the home of Obed-edom.

What happened here? Why was David angry with God when he was the one who didn't follow the guidelines for transporting the ark? Why was he afraid of God so much that he didn't even want the ark with him?

Well, I believe the answer lies in the fact that God acted in a way that was unexpected by David...and he got angry! It says earlier in verse 8 that "David and all Israel were rejoicing before God with all their might" but a few moments later David is burning with anger at God. He changed his tune pretty quick, don't you think?

But, David is not alone in his reaction to God. You see, we are a lot like David in our own lives. We are completely content to worship and rejoice in God as long as He plays by our rules and doesn't try to get out of the box that we have made for Him. We like a god who is safe, predictable, understandable, and does what we think is right. But, that is not God at all...it's a god we have made in our own image!

David then became afraid and sent the very symbol of God's presence away to another place to stay. He didn't want anything to do with God anymore. But, look at what happens to Obed-edom (the man whose home the ark came to rest)...

"And the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that he had" verse 14.

WOW! Look at the contrast here! David is left with anger and fear...while the household of Obed-edom is filled with the blessing of God. Seeking a god of our own making will only lead to anger and fear and disappointment. But, embracing the mystery of a HUGE, unexplainable, irresistible, powerful, just, sovereign, righteous God will always be blessed.

Look at your life today...are you seeking the God of the Bible or are you making a god that fits your lifestyle? Are you allowing God to be who He is...no matter what that may look like? Are you trying to put God in a box that you can wrap you mind around and tame? Embrace the mystery of God...get really comfortable with the words "I don't know!" Allow Him to be who He is and enjoy the God of the Bible!

David was a man after God's own heart, because eventually he found out that God is who He is and if we are going to live a life that is blessed we must be willing to give up those views of Him that are wrong! David didn't like what He saw of God...it didn't make sense to him...and he got angry departing from the presence of God. Is that how you are living today? If so, give up your own ideas and plunge deep into God's Word without reserve and embrace who He is. Let God be God today and hang on for the ride of a lifetime!