David Moves the Ark of the Covenant
Open Your Bible
1 Chronicles 13:1-14, 1 Chronicles 14:1-17, Psalm 21:1-13
BY Rachel Marie Kang
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.
63 thoughts on "David Moves the Ark of the Covenant"
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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.
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@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!
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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.
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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.
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Praying for you Victoria! I am praying that God’s peace would comfort you during this time! ❤️
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@Rhonda J Thank you for sharing, I needed to hear that today!!
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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.
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