MONDAY 23 November, 2015
Helping God
And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God. - 2 Samuel 6:6-7
They were not to Jerusalem yet, but as they were traveling, one of the oxen stumbled and made the cart rock a little bit, so Uzzah reached out and put his hand on the Ark of the Covenant, so it would not fall. It seems like a logical reaction. Uzzah did not want the Ark to fall off the cart, but it was not acceptable to the Lord, so he struck Uzzah and killed him.
While Uzzah’s reaction seems normal to us, it appears God overreacted. Uzzah was just trying to help the Lord. He was just trying to protect the Ark. However, in God’s Word, it says: … but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die (Numbers 4:15). Uzzah should have known better than to touch the Ark, which was holy.
It is important to recognize, this would not have happened if the people had obeyed the Lord about carrying the Ark of the Covenant. Remember, it should not have been on the cart. It was supposed to be carried on two poles, through four rings. The sons of Kohath were to carry it on their shoulders.
Listen, Uzzah was trying to help the Lord and instead he lost his life. He did not realize God did not need any help. God was well and in full control. In the same way, God does not need your help. What He wants from us is our obedience, not our help.
What God wants from His people is obedience, no matter the circumstances, no matter how unknown the outcome.
~Charles Colson~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!