Restore the Ark of God!
1 Chron.16:1, “So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.”
The ark of God, which contained the two stone tablets with the law of God inscribed, always represented God’s rich presence. It was kept in the most holy place of the temple of God and none could see its contents except the Levites who were sanctified for the same. This ark was carried to the war fields and the wars were won. Joshua and the Levites marched around the walls of Jericho with the ark of God and it crumbled down. When the Levites carried it in the midst of the overflowing Jordan river, it stopped and gave way for His people. The Israelites felt blessed, sanctified and special when this ark of God was in their midst. But they felt deprived, fearful and weak when this was captured by the Philistines. 1 Sam.4:22, ‘22 And she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”
Later David, who was the man after God’s own heart set his heart to restore this ark to His people. He made efforts, and others with him too took efforts. Before they could finally bring back the ark, they learnt a few lessons from the Lord. Today, many of us have lost this presence of God. Hence, we feel weak, fearful and deprived. We do have an earnest desire to be restored to His rich presence for only His presence is our protection, peace and great assurance. But somehow we are unable to enjoy the presence of God which we earlier enjoyed. We might be going wrong somewhere which might be hindering this blessing from being restored.
1 Chron.13:1-4, ‘Then David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. 2 And David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if it is of the Lord our God, let us send out to our brethren everywhere who are left in all the land of Israel, and with them to the priests and Levites who are in their cities and their common-lands, that they may gather together to us; 3 and let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we have not inquired at it since the days of Saul.” 4 Then all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.’ David was anointed by Prophet Samuel to be the king of Israel but it took years to finally sit on the throne, for he was pursued by King Saul. But after king Saul was killed, all the men of rank from the tribes of Israel came with a perfect heart to Hebron to make David king over all Israel and all the Israelites came with one heart for same (1 Chron.12:38). David always asked the Lord before taking any decision. But when it came about bringing back the ark of the Lord, he consulted with the captains and leaders. Hence, he overlooked many aspects which was of much importance for the Lord. Later on, David enquired of the Lord, sought His word and understood about the downfalls. He corrected the same and then went ahead to restore the ark of the Lord. Seek His face more than seeking others opinions. Only His Word can direct us into repentance, which alone can restore His presence. Only God’s counsel can enable us to have the right attitude and insight about everything.
1 Chron.13: 7-8, ‘7 So they [b]carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. 8 Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with [c]singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets.’ It’s amazing to see how God’s people carried the ark in the new cart. The Law of Moses (Deut.31:9) clearly stated that the ark was to be carried by the Levites on their shoulders, never on a cart. Even then they put it on a new cart. In 1 Sam.6, we read about how the Philistines took away the ark of God, but how it turned out to be a dread among them. Hence they sent it back to the Israelites setting it on a new cart. There we don’t see God judging them for this act as they did not know the Law of Moses. But when the Israelites tried to copy this, they were severely judged. Later on, when David sought the Lord, he sought His word and understood the folly they had done. 1 Chron.15:2, ‘Then David said, “No one may carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the Lord has chosen them to carry the ark of God and to minister before Him forever.” We are judged as per the light given to us. Hence, let us not try to copy others. Instead let us be imitators of Christ and His Word, for that alone is the assurance of being filled with His Spirit.
1 Sam.7:1-2, ‘Then the men of Kirjath Jearim came and took the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill, and consecrated Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord. 2 So it was that the ark remained in Kirjath Jearim a long time; it was there twenty years. And all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.’ Though the ark of God was in Abinadab’s house for 20 long years, we don’t read about any blessing they received on this account. On the other hand, this ark was kept in the house of Obed-edom for 3 months and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all that he had (1 Chron. 13:14). When we do certain things for God as a habit, with no passionate love for God, it becomes a tradition i.e. doing things for God for the sake of doing. Such traditions fails to fill our hearts with His presence. Traditions form religion and not relation. It’s always the personal and intimate relation with the Lord which can bring back the lost presence of God. Let us take heed to do all things out of deep love for God, lest our relation becomes religion and we loose His presence.
1 Chron..13:9-10, ‘ And when they came to [d]Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen [e]stumbled. 10 Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.’ We note here that Uzza, son of Abinadab, who had seen this ark in his house for 20 years respond to the situation emotionally, which seems right to our eyes. V 13 says that king David did not bring the ark of the Lord to himself to the city of David. But that did not make it acceptable to the Lord. Emotional acts cannot restore His presence to our lives. Emotions are given by God but we should not be led by them.
1 Chron.16:1, ‘So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.’ Finally the ark was brought back to Jerusalem and placed in the midst of the tent which David had pitched for it. There are many reasons due to which we might loose His presence and we might not even realize it. But without His presence, we are just like other worldly people -weak, fearful, hopeless and in fact a failure. We might be desiring to be restored back to His presence, but in the process, let us not be led by traditions, emotions, opinions of people around etc. Let us prepare our hearts to seek His Word and to identify our downfalls that caused us to be out of His presence. Let rejoicing be restored. May the hope in Christ strengthen us to be victorious always in all circumstances. King David set his heart to seek God’s face. He was counseled by His word. Hence the ark of the Lord was restored to the city of Jerusalem. Then the people offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. Worship and joy was restored. May nothing strip us off His rich presence, which is our armor, our refuge, our fortress and our joy. May we make all efforts to be always restored to His presence.
God bless us all
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