Afraid of God 1 Chron-13:1-12 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
David had a noble idea to move the ark of God from Kirjathjearim to the place he had prepared for it in Jerusalem. All Israel was behind the move. So they carried the ark of God on a new cart [1 Sam 6:7-8]. But when the oxen stumbled [1 Chr 13:9], Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark and the Lord killed him [1 Chr 13:10; Num 4:15]. David was afraid of God and asked “How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?”
When you find yourself in the place where your plans run contrary to God’s plans you need to do what David did. You don’t need to get mad at God you need to be afraid of God. The fear of God is good for you. When you are afraid of God:
You’ll stop what you are doing – 1 Chr 13:13 – David just stopped right there and didn’t continue on with his plans. He was afraid to incur more of God’s wrath.
You’ll wait till you know what to do – 1 Chr 13:14 – the ark stayed at the house of Obededom for three months while David pondered what to do next. He that hasteth with his feet sinneth. David was afraid of God and wouldn’t move until he was absolutely sure what to do.
You’ll search the scriptures for direction – 1 Chr 15:2 – David had to consider the words of God, for therein is the answer to what went wrong with his plans. “None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites.” Read Num 7:1-9. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. When you are afraid of God you will search God’s words for the wisdom to go God’s way.
You’ll confess you sin when you see it – 1 Chr 15:12-13 – you’ll acknowledge the truth and where you went wrong with respect to the truth. It is one thing to know what’s right and it’s another thing to admit that you were wrong [repentance]. 2 Tim 2:25-26
You’ll order your steps in God’s words – 1 Chr 15:14-15 – you will not only acknowledge where you went wrong but you will order your steps in the Lord’s word [v. 13 the “due order”] and proceed according to his commandments. There is safety in the Lord. 1 Cor 14:40, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
You’ll rejoice when you start to do right – 1 Chr 15:16, 25 – you will be singing and rejoicing when you are doing it God’s way [Prov 29:6]. You can rejoice because you already know that what you are doing is going to turn out well [Rom 8:28].
You’ll be helped by the Lord on your way – 1 Chr 15:25-26 – God helped the Levites. This is a totally different outcome than before. Life is much better with God on your side rather than against you.
Conclusion: this whole turn around started when David was afraid of God. You’ll get nowhere if you keep going with your own plans. The consequences are always bad. In the fear of the Lord stop what you are doing, wait on God, search the scriptures, confess your sin, order your steps in God’s words, rejoice, and let the Lord help you!!