APRIL 6, 2 Samuel 6:1-11  

King David had united his people and established a new capital in Jerusalem. He had also shown remarkable leadership and courage in defeating the Philistines. Best of all, he saw his role clearly as being God’s special under-shepherd to Israel.

He realised Israel had seriously neglected her spiritual life as a people of God; the Ark of the Lord had been almost forgotten! Many priests had been killed by Saul (1 Sam 22:18-19). The Levites no longer had the great honour of serving God. He wanted to bring the Ark back into the lives of the Israelites and lead them to seek and serve God. Thus, he decided to bring the Ark up to Jerusalem. Alas, it was carried in a cart and Uzzah, a non-priest who was not supposed to touch the Ark, touched it when the oxen shook it. The anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah and he was struck dead immediately.

What is the lesson for us? God is not just a God of love, but a God who will punish those who sin. It was not that there was magical power in the Ark; it was not that God was too harsh with Uzzah. The Israelites did not follow established rules for the handling of the Ark and thus there were consequences for their sin.

Some children have the wrong idea that God is more like some heavenly vending machine who will give us what we want if we ask in the right way. Or that God is a spiritual form of Santa Claus, that He is always smiling, having no regard for sin. That is simply not true. Our God demands from us loyalty and obedience and as His children, we should not feel it a pain to follow Him, but take it as a privilege to be able to know His will and to do it.

Thought: Our Heavenly Father will also punish us if necessary.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may I approach Thee with fear and reverence for Thou art a holy God. Help me to realise I must live a holy life so that I can please Thee. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.