When Meaning Well – Doesn’t Go Well
This morning I had an appointment for a MRI on my head and neck. It ended up taking longer than it was suppose to because they had to redo several exposures. I guess you are not suppose to tap your feet and move your legs when your head is in the MRI machine and you are listening to Curtis Chapman. I guess that is better than the panicked screams when I was first hospitalized and they tried a MRI on swollen brain due to meningitis and encephalitis.
I spent some time getting caught up on some computer work and listened to the end of an early Childhood Preschool and Preparedness Committee hearing taking place at the State Capitol.
I have been feeling a little “under the weather” today. It looks Debbie and I came home from Florida with some cold symptoms. Hopefull
y nothing more develops and we are back feeling our full energy soon.
I mentioned last week that McKenzie our twenty month old granddaughter was taking her time to warm up to us. At this age she is just beginning to show more of her personality and getting everyone figured out. So when she came into my bedroom with her blanket and raised her arms for me to pick her up, I thought, “I am ready for vacation to end and go home feeling like I connect with my granddaughter.” McKenzie had made several trips with her mom when I was in the hospital last year, so this picture is far more pleasant one than those from my hospital days.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “David summoned the priests….and the Levites….“You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites. Consecrate yourselves, you and your brothers, so that you may bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. Because you did not carry it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” 1 Chronicles 15:11-13
From time to time I have observed people who took action, attempted something positive and it just didn’t go well. My wife usually says, “well, at least he (she) meant well.” Sometimes she says that about the dog, but I don’t think it applies.
King David had one of those experiences, where he meant well, but it didn’t go well. It was a perplexing and costly experience. It was his first attempt to bring the Ark of God back to Jerusalem as recorded in 1 Chronicles 13, “…they carried the ark of God on a new cart…David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might…And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, 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.” (1 Chronicles 13:7-10)
The Ark of God had been captured in battle by the Philistines and had been away from the midst of God’s people for twenty years. After David’s throne was established one of the first things he desired was to have the Ark in Jerusalem among God’s people where it belonged.
His heart was right. He knew the importance of the Ark of God to God’s people. He summoned the right people, he called for the priests and Levites. His plan was endorsed and supported by the people. As the Ark was being transported there was celebration and rejoicing and worship. But unexpectedly tragedy struck.
The Ark had been sent back to Israel by the Philistines on a new cart, pulled by a cow that had just had a calf. It was a test to see if God would lead the Ark back to Israel without human guidance. David had the Ark transported to Jerusalem the way it had been transported when it was returned by the Philistines.
The death of Uzzah put a damper on the celebration and was a great consternation to David. What David learned was, “when it comes to instructions given by God, you have to do the right thing the right way.” Good intentions are not enough. That is why God gave specific instructions on the animals that were to be sacrificed. The type, their condition and the process. God gave specific instructions on who and how the Ark was to be transported. Carried by the priests on poles.
David makes a simple statement that is a good reminder for us today. ” [The] Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” How many times in our zeal, our “good ideas” do we charge ahead without seeking the Lord. Sometimes in practical terms, in the Church, that includes consulting with pastoral leadership. Too often people adopt the adage, “it is easier to seek forgiveness, than permission” but that is too risky when it comes to God’s work. Even though David was King and he was committed to the Lord, he learned what walking in the fear of the Lord is all about.
I am thankful today that Christ’s grace and forgiveness covers a lot of our blunders, but that doesn’t mean damage is not done in the process or a greater result was not possible. Our desire should be to have the results that come from God’s blessings, not our good intentions and efforts. That means being prayerful, patient and submissive to God’s ways and leadership.
Remember God’s uses us to accomplish His purposes, we are not to be those who in anyway attempt to “use God” even if is for that which is well intended. God’s desire is for our good intentions to be graced with His blessing, because we are seeking Him.