Readings for today: 2 Samuel 5:11-25, 2 Samuel 6, 1 Chronicles 13-16
Holiness seems to be a forgotten concept in our culture. Even in many of our churches. We have become so familiar with Jesus that it has bread contempt. Contempt for His Word. Contempt for His ways. Contempt for His Law. We’ve settled for cheap grace. Easy believism. We falsely assume that a relationship with Jesus comes with no expectations. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus is clear. Those who love Him obey His commandments. Those who follow Him deny themselves. Those who become His disciples pick up a cross. There is a cost to discipleship. Not because we have to earn anything. Not because we have to prove ourselves to anyone. Not because we have to work to earn God’s favor. But simply because God is holy. And because God is holy, we must be holy. And holiness requires us to submit our will and our way to God.
David learned this the hard way. He falsely assumed he could worship God any way he wanted as long as it was sincere. The people of God were so excited to bring the ark of the covenant back home but in their fervor, they did not seek the Lord. They did not honor God’s commands when it came to worship. God had clearly prescribed a precise way to handle the ark. It was to be carried by the Levites. It was to be accompanied by musicians. Sacrifices were to be made. It was a sacred procession. Tragically, David’s first attempt to bring the ark home didn’t follow God’s prescribed commands so when Uzzah, himself a Levite and someone who should have known better, reaches out his hand to steady the ark to keep it from falling, he is struck down. Even though he was well-intentioned, he violated God’s command not to touch the holy items directly. It’s a sober reminder even for us today.
When we gather for worship, are we gathering in accordance with God’s will and God’s way? Unfortunately, a lot of churches have turned inward and focus more on their own preferences when it comes to worship. Still others focus on entertainment and self-help. Still others focus on the needs of the people rather than honoring a holy God. No church is perfect, of course. I won’t pretend the church I serve has it “right.” But the primary question that guides our worship is not “how do the people feel or respond” but does it honor God.
Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 15, 23-25, 47