DO NOT BLAME GOD!

Dearly Beloved, DO NOT BLAME GOD! “Then David was angry because the Lord's wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah. David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, ‘How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me? He was not willing to take the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David” (2 Samuel 6:8-10 NIV). David had ascended the promised throne of Israel after many years running from one place to the other from Saul, the then king. He had established himself in his new capital city. As part of the ways to appreciate God for these, he brought together thirty thousand men chosen out of the Israelites and went to Baalah of Judah to bring the Ark of Covenant to his capital city. The ark has been in that village for almost 100 years since the time the Philistines returned it from its capture. Abinadab had been the custodian of this sacred object, so, when David came for it, he volunteered his sons, Uzzah and Ahio, to guard the ark as it was being transported on a new cart to Jerusalem amidst fanfare. Alas, a tragic incident occurred. In a bid to prevent the ark from falling because the oxen that were pulling the cart stumbled, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark. He was struck dead immediately by God because of his “irreverent act”! King David was angry for this and he was afraid to bring the ark to his capital city. He seemed to be blaming God for that tragedy. How could God strike Uzzah when he (Uzzah) was actually trying to “help” God? Many things went wrong in this event. The Ark of the Covenant represented the presence of God who dwelled among His people in a special way (see Exodus 25:22). Therefore, it has to be handled with reverence, even in its transportation from place to place. The Mosaic Law specified that the Levites (to be specific, the Kohathites) have to carry it on their shoulders by means of poles passed through gold rings attached to the ark (see Exodus 25:14; Numbers 4:15). Even the Levites should not touch the ark or even look in it because of its holiness or they risk death (see Numbers 4:20). It is impossible to know why David overlooked these requirements, but he and Uzzah and Ahio placed the ark on a cart and proceeded to Jerusalem. Out of his overzealousness, Uzzah took hold of the ark so that it would not fall. He faced the consequence instantly. Why then should David be angry? Why should he blame God for what he (David) did not do right? Many people are committing similar error today. They want to serve or please God in their own ways while God has given a specific way to come to Him and serve Him. Jesus Christ said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NIV). Peter re-echoed this later: “...then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:10-12 NIV. See also 1 John 2:23; 2 John 9). In what ways are you also try to serve or please God wrongly? No matter how seemingly good your service is to God, if you do not do it the right way, do not blame God if He does not accept your service or even strike you in His own way. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will not serve God in the wrong way no matter how seemingly good the way may be.