I am the one on the stage standing behind the keyboard, leading a congregation of men and women in a song about God.
I am on that stage singing to God, to an audience of one—praising Him who captured my gaze and saved my soul. I’m singing to the God who healed my heart, to the One who showed me the hope of my life held in His hands. And, yet, I am on that stage not merely singing for myself and by myself. No, I am singing with many, joining the mighty chorus of God’s children and praising Him for His faithfulness, in and through the ages, the generations.
All those years ago, as a worship leader on that stage, I was singing to the God who got me through the hardest days of high school, and yet, I was also singing with all the men and women of that small-town church in New York. I was singing to the God who deeply saw and still chose me. I was singing like David and all of Israel celebrating in today’s reading, “with all their might before God with songs and with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets” (1Chronicles 13:8).
This Lenten season, we can see ourselves in these Israelites story. Even in our modern exodus and exile, we seek to exalt and enthrone Him for all He is (Psalm 21:13). We seek to lift humble hands and dance undignified, just as Israel, to praise His name (1Chronicles 13:8). We surrender to and fear Him not only because He is faithful to us but because He is faithful to Himself (1Chronicles 13:9–14). We plot plans and make moves, just as David did, only to remember and revere God’s holy and wholly deserving name (1Chronicles 13:3).
In this season—and beyond forevermore—we join our voices with those who have seen the victory of the Lord in the valley (1Chronicles 14:8–12; Psalm 21). We bring pause into our present and peer into the past, all to pour out praise on the One who has proved Himself holy and faithful, time and time again.
We are the ones standing on stages, standing behind keyboards of all kinds, singing and typing away, telling others about the faithfulness of our God. We are His children, the very ones carrying the wind and witness of His presence. Not merely in palaces but in all the places we find ourselves planted, ever singing about His faithfulness that stretches to the sky.
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63 thoughts on "David Moves the Ark of the Covenant"
Thank you for your words!
Yes, may we remember ♡
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I love that David followed the instructions from the Lord. Even when those instructions differed from the last time he went to Battle, and even though they may not have made sense in warfare. He trusted the Lord and followed his instructions. He was victorious in both instances. May I remember to always follow the instructions of the Lord, even when they don’t make sense to my feeble mind.
Noticeably after this David sought God before he acted. It helped him t grow his relationship with God
Yes! I love your words here,it helped bring my thoughts to whole. The
Amen ❤️
Claire B, AG, Mercy, Jennifer Anapol, Kimberly Z, Tricia Cavanaugh, Lexi B, Sarah Ritchie, Mari V, Donna Wolcott, CeeGee, Erica Chiarelli, Kristen, GramsieSue, Sarah D, Nancy S, Elaine Morgan, Kathy, Searching, Kelly (NEO), and everyone who is praying for me and my husband (I am sure I have left off names) thank you. I feel so blessed to have your prayers at a time when I feel at a loss for words to say to God. Thank you.
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Victoria E, I am saddened to hear this news. I was afraid that might be the case when we didn’t hear from you. Prayers for peace, healing and restoration ♥️
Victoria E. I am sending all of my prayers to you during this time. May God cover you in peace. Hugs.
Remember and revere his holy and wholly deserved name.
David did not consult the Lord before moving the Ark. he consulted his leaders. They had good intentions but it was all in disobedience to His word. God is as interested in the process as He is in the outcome. How we do things matters to God. He wants us to seek Him because what we do matters to Him.
@Victoria E. So sorry for your loss! My heart hurts for you. Praying for you and your family during this time. I hope things will get a little easier for you. @Sarah D. Totally understand your job situation I too feel the anxiety behind our work switching hours around and changes happening. Working in such a specialize field has me so torn so I would have to move away from family to find something else. Praying it gets little easier for you!
The ark of the covenant represents His presence with His children. I heard a sermon that said God created a loophole/cheat sheet for His children, in order for His very Holy presence to go with them (unholy people), He put his presence in a gold box so they carried that box with them as carrying His very presence. And that “very presence” is to be handled by holy priests, not carried by oxen and cart. God is in the details and we must strive to respect His fine prints. May God give us grace. Thank you Whitney A, Molly R and Gramsiesue for your comments today that brought more clarity for understanding.
@Victoria E: I am giving you a hug. My heart was tugged about you a while back but not knowing why, the Holy Spirit was reminding me of you. Keeping you in prayers during this difficult time. The LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering (Isaiah 49:13b)
Be blessed dear sisters.
I am so sorry VICTORIA E. Praying right now that you and your husband would experience God’s strength and peace.
I pray remember to see God with reverence and fear. Sometimes I see him too much as a friend and companion, I forget that He is God.
Praying for you Victoria! I am praying that God’s peace would comfort you during this time! ❤️
@Rhonda J Thank you for sharing, I needed to hear that today!!
So as I read both the Scriptures and the devotion two songs came to mind, an old hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and a contemporary one “Promises”, both talk about God’s and Christ’s faithfulness. They speak of the hope, how we ARE NEVER LET DOWN by God, Christ or the Holy Spirit.
These are some of the words from “Promises” —
“Though the storms may come and the winds may blow
I’ll remain steadfast
And let my heart learn, when You speak a word
It will come to pass
Great is Your faithfulness to me
Great is Your faithfulness to me
From the rising sun to the setting same
I will praise Your name
Great is Your faithfulness to me”
What powerful words. I am listening to a flash mob version by Maverick City Music right now — here’s the link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5m09rqOoxE.
This is the refrain from the old hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness”
“Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
all I have needed thy hand hath provided–
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”
These too are such powerful words.
When I read “We bring pause into our present and peer into the past, all to pour out praise on the One who has proved Himself holy and faithful, time and time again.” I was saying you are sooo right Rachel so right and AMEN!!! This brings to mind the what I was studying last night about Abraham’s faithfulness. And Romans 4:16 “So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.” I find it God-inspiring how many times my daytime — SRT — and my nighttime devotional overlap. I guess “it’s a God thing”.
Father God, Christ Jesus, Holy Spirit thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for being at my side NO MATTER WHAT THE SITUATION is. But MOST OF ALL thank You for Your eternal, never ending love. Amen.
Sorry about the length but I just had to share both songs.
Be blessed and PRAISE THE LORD for His faithfulness.
Victoria E, I am heartbroken for your loss. I know that pain myself, and I pray the Lord wraps his loving arms around you today in comfort.
HeReads Truth devotional is super helpful this morning if you are wanting a bit more understanding about Uzzah being struck down after touching the ark.
Victoria E- I am so sorry to hear that. Heartbroken for you. Praying God’s covering over you and your family during this difficult time.
Sarah D- Praying for a new opportunity that allows you to continue with your bible studies/ evening activities.
1 Chronicles 13:8 “Then David and all Israel played music before God”
After becoming King, David decided to restore the long-neglected Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. While transporting it (incorrectly, by the way), David and a whole retinue were worshipping and carrying on with instruments and singing – in apparent celebration that they were doing a great thing. A great thing, done incorrectly in a manner that minimizes the reverence and worship due to God and maximizing the emotional energy building off of each other, is still done incorrectly. It resulted in the death of one of the priests (after a spur of the moment decision to brace the Ark from falling with is hand – something a priest should know NOT to do upon pain of death), and just a couple verses later David is seen being angry with God because of the death of the Priest. Another emotional response. Even from the “man after God’s own heart.”
God, I can be so emotional. I can get caught up in something I have deemed worthy and give my whole heart to it. And in my good intentions I give my worship to that, instead of where it SHOULD be directed. Forgive me. Help me to see through my emotions, to seek you with my whole heart and desire to see you glorified and worshipped as only Your sovereignty and holiness require.
David inquired of the Lord:
This is the same humility and dependence I need to adopt in prayer. My battle isn’t against flesh and blood but I have a spiritual enemy that has heard that God has raised me and my children up to be His own. The enemy comes against me and to be sure I need to be ready to take up my armor and fight. However, I should only do so after I have sought the leading of the Lord. There is where the victory lies, in the counsel of the Lord.
Lots of good comments here, on the podcast and on HRT about Uzzah and the Ark. The 2-13-23 podcast from Church of the City NYC by Suzy Silk “God Comes Where He’s Wanted: The Cry of the Lord” was about this very scripture. “If we truly want God to draw near, we must seek Him based on His terms.” (Also great message there on the Asbury Outpouring.) “Our obedience is the best way to welcome God.”
Dear Victoria, praying the Lord holds you and your husband in His hands and under His wings. May you feel His peace. So very sorry.
Sweet Victoria E., I saw posts of our sisters reaching out to you. It made me wonder, so I looked back. I am so sorry sweet girl so sorry. Please know that you are covered in prayer.
His faithfulness reaches to the sky…… Reminds me of the song by Third day: “Your Love Oh Lord”
I want to love on & Worship Jesus unabandoned as they did! Every time I lead worship I think of when David danced before the Lord unashamedly. I want to worship with that same passion!
Great comments today!!! I felt bad for Uzzah, too, until I re-read God’s instructions on the proper (and only God-approved way) to move the ark. There are tough consequences to disobedience – some come instantly and some come more slowly, but all have lasting effects.
GRAMIESUE – LOVE your comment, “The church needs this reminder and return to the Word of God for an understanding of the Will of God. No amount of unity or enthusiasm can compensate for disobedience. When God’s work is done in man’s way, and we imitate the world instead of obeying the Word, we can never expect the blessing of God. The way of the world is ultimately the way of death.”
Such wise words!!!
I was struck by 1 Chronicles 15 – When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God will have gone out ahead of you to strike down the army of the Philistines. 16 So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer.” The note on verse 15 says the sound in the trees “indicates the presence of the heavenly hosts with Yahweh as their commander”! It cites 2 Samuel 5:10. How awesome and cool!!!
VICTORIA E., hugs and prayers to you in this sorrowful time. May you feel the presence of the Comforter in a mighty and memorable way.
TINA – So glad you made it through!
Amen
David had asked for God’s direction for the battles but not for moving the Ark.
God’s work must be done God’s way if it is to have God’s blessing.
God’s people must obey God’s Word.
The church needs this reminder and return to the Word of God for an understanding of the Will of God. No amount of unity or enthusiasm can compensate for disobedience. When God’s work is done in man’s way, and we imitate the world instead of obeying the Word, we can never expect the blessing of God. The way of the world is ultimately the way of death.
Oh my heart! Victoria E, I am heartbroken for you. I too have lost two babies before I got to hold them…it is just so difficult.
But God…
He will see you through this and hold you close. I will be praying for you and your husband. Hugs to you, sweet sister.
Glad things went well with you yesterday, Tina.
Prayers for all requests, spoken and unspoken.
Blessings to all. ❤️
I have to ditto Rhonda’s comment. Sounds so much like my life. God does give us peace. I remember laying on the floor sobbing out to Him and He came to me in my despair. He has helped me through so much. I cannot imagine my life with God in it.
Good morning ladies! @Victoria E, I am so so sorry to hear this. Praying for you, for God’s arms to wrap around you during this time. Praying for strength for you @Taylor, I am definitely feeling tired too.
I would love your prayers as I pray about other job opportunities. My employer let me know that our department would be permanently changing our hours to a later shift, which is not ideal for me. I have worked that shift before for a short time to help in the summer busy season, but since I have other activities (like small group) I do after work in the evenings, it will be harder to fit these in. Please pray that the Lord would guide me to what to do next. I have been in this job for 1.5 years now, and I feel that the Lord has been teaching me a lot through it, however I have been disappointed with a lot of the (many) changes that have taken places over the last 6 months. Thank you all!
@Victoria E, I just read about your loss. I’m so sorry. My first baby was stillborn. I was only weeks away from her actual due date. I delivered her knowing that she wasn’t alive. I also had a miscarriage. May you experience God’s comfort like never before. I will pray for you.
Spurgeon’s commentary on 15:13 points out that had they transported the ark correctly on poles by the Levites, rather than on a cart pulled by oxen, it wouldn’t have wobbled in the first place, so no one would have needed to steady it. God’s law is specific and purposeful and meant to protect us and give us life. The people didn’t follow his law precisely, and it led to death.
@Whitney A, thanks for sharing that! Very interesting, I never thought of that before!
I remember the many years of my life that I “didn’t inquire of the Lord.” The results were evidence that it was detrimental and led to failure after failure, slowly taking away the confidence that I knew what I was doing. It was far from the Lord’s path for me. I was 30, with my second failed marriage, and a young 2.5 year old. I hit my knees, and decided right then that I needed God to help me and lead me. I emptied myself that night and knew I needed to give my life back to God. I had always heard of a “relationship” with Jesus, but I couldn’t make sense of how we do that, with someone I had put as only a Saviour up in heaven, the almighty that you pray to, and honor….but as “a friend?,” that was hard to figure out. But I slowly began that relationship that would change my life forever. “I was one way before Him, and now I am different.”
I don’t know if you have been trying to do life your own way, but I encourage you to not wait until you are at your end, but to give it to Him now. Give him your ears, your eyes, your heart. Pray, be in the word, and wait. And listen. He wants to have your full attention, your hurts, your weaknesses, your joys, your future. Give it to Him She’s. See how your life comes alive! Will everything be perfect from that point, absolutely not. But obedience leads to peace. Rest in him. We may not know how our future will go or end, BUT GOD, he does, and it is all in his hands. You will prosper in the end, because you will be with the Lord. Amen and Amen. Thank you Lord..thank you Lord.
The Lord said to Uzzah “you’re dead” and then struck him with lightning. I wrote this in my book today and I think it’s a little funny.
“David inquired of God” stood out to me! David trusted God to direct his steps and believed Gods plan was best. I need to have the same trust and belief because Gods ways are always best.
While trying to do something honorable to God, the did a good thing in a wrong way. God keeps His word. He is faithful, which we have really been focusing on this past week in reading. We are to remember. There were specific ways to treat and transport the Ark. unfortunately, Uzzah’s critical thinking was costly. Numbers 4:15 says “they shall not touch anything holy lest they die’. His words hold true. He is the same Hod when He gave those original commands to Moses as He was to David and as He is now. It made me sad for Uzzah that his well-intentioned action was costly.
God please help me to seek you constantly, make you the centre .
Amen!
There is peace, wholeness, and fulfillment in obedience to God.
“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.”
Psalms 19:9, 11
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Hi ladies! I’m back after being away in Richmond for a busy weekend of reffing a field hockey tournament. I am tired. I feel myself starting to wander and feeling the pull of the world to do things my way instead of God’s. I wrote in my journal to surrender to God’s will and not my own, and to trust in His faithfulness. I pray He would intervene when I go off course and lead me back. Prone to wander, Lord I feel it.
Lifting up all the prayer requests <3 @Victoria E so sorry for your loss. We are here for you.
Thank You, Lord that “You give [me] blessings forever;
you cheer [me] with joy in your presence.
For [I rely] on the Lord;
through the faithful love of the Most High
[I am] not shaken.”
VICTORIA E – so sad for you and your husband. Joining with the other Shes in praying for healing of your body and peace for your mind.
God is faithful ❤️
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We make the plans, but God ordains our steps. God certainly ordained David’s steps. I’m so thankful God ordains my steps too.
KATHY – yes, HRT was very good and your quote of Russ Ramsey is a reminder of God’s love for us … how often we forget what a blessing His mercy is to us.
I got a much better understanding from Got Questions’ in depth explanation on the overall situation with David moving the Ark and Uzzah’s action, “Why did God strike Uzzah dead for touching the Ark of the Covenant?”
We worship the Lord because He is God, praise Him for all that He is, rejoice that He is with us always and express our thankfulness for His blessings. In our exuberance though, we should never lose sight of our reverence and respect for the one and only Lord God Almighty.
MARIANNE REUTER – liked your comment
VICTORIA E – praying for you, sister, and heartbroken with you over your loss. ❤️
EILEEN DOWD – praying for comfort, strength, healing and guidance in your grief, and return of your appetite.
ALEXIS ADAMS – congrats, and praying for wisdom and rest as you adjust.
DOROTHY – praying for healing and resolution with apartment management.
KIMBERLY Z – praying for your employer, your job and others
RHONDA J – liked your comment yesterday ❤️
Me too!
God’s ways are higher than my ways. Amen.
I like how David exclaims he has everything in Psalm 21. He has all his heart’s desires, a crown of fine gold and a long life. But his true joy comes from God. David is able to find joy in a just God. We won’t always understand the justness of God (Uzzah) but His fairness is something to celebrate and worship. We have everything when we find joy in the Lord.
The death of Uzzah is covered in the podcast. Also, there is a good teaching by Dr. R C Sproul that I have listened to multiple times called: The Holiness and Justice of God on YouTube or online. This is the third message in R C Sproul’s series on the Holiness of God. Such a good series. At first, it we may feel for Uzzah thinking he was trying to help and serve God. However, God is never unjust! Listening to the SRT podcast and R C’ teachings explain this. I also looked at Enduring Word online commentary too. Hope this helps!
David inquired of the Lord twice and the Lord answered him. I need to inquire of the Lord more asking him how I should live and what he wants me to do each day.
The He Reads Truth devotion is about Uzzah’s death. It’s very good. Russ Ramsey says, “It’s not that what happened to Uzzah was unjust. It’s that what happens to the rest of us is mercy.”
VICTORIA E, I am so very sorry about your loss. I had a miscarriage and it was an incredibly sad time in my life. Know that you are being lifted in prayer.
@Victoria E, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m praying for you now.
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For all who (like me) miss mentioning the death of Uzzah in today‘s devotional: listen to the SRT podcast. There it is covered. IMO today’s reading is not about worship and standing on the stage but about asking God to show us how we should live.
Reading the devotional I was reminded of a song from long ago sang by Mario Lanza in The student Prince..
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I’ll walk with God from this day on,
His helping hand I’ll lean upon,
This is prayer, my humble plea,
May the Lord be ever with me..
There is no death, though eyes grow dim, there is no fear when I’m near to him,
I’ll lean on Him forever and He’ll forsake me never.
I’ll walk with God, I’ll take His hand, I’ll talk with God, He’ll understand,
I’ll pray to Him, each day to Him and He’ll hear the words that I say..
His hand will guide my throne and Rod, and I’ll never walk alone while I walk with God…
The song of my heart this morning..
BUT GOD..
AMEN.
Dearest sisters, thank you so so very much for your prayers yesterday. I got through it covered by your love and wise words.. thank you. Thank you. Thank you, wrapped tightly in love right back to you all and covered in prayers for a God blessed day..❤
Oh, VICTORIA E, Iam so so very sorry to read your sad news. Praying peace of heart, mind and body, praying the Lord God hold you close, comfort and love on you at this sad time.
Dear sister, I will continue to hold you and yours in my prayers. I am so sorry.