0217. A Disastrous Inquiry

A Disastrous Inquiry

"And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader" (1Ch_13:1).

There are some potent lessons we need to learn about how to discover and how to carry out God’s will.

The Ark of the Covenant had been for some time with the Philistines, and Israel was losing many blessings thereby. Surely they needed the Ark, where God dwelt with them, and surely God wanted them to bring the Ark back again. Let us then look into this matter and learn wherein David was right and wherein he went astray.

1. It was right for David to ask the captains and every leader about bringing back the Ark. They were certainly, all of them concerned in this matter. They needed the Ark, as well as David; they were vitally connected with its return. What good would the Ark do, if the people were not interested and directly concerned in its return?

David was happy to find a ready response with the people, for "all the congregation said that they would do so; for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people" (1Ch_13:4).

Thus far everything was auspicious, and we believe God was well pleased.

2. The first step wherein David veered from the right, was in his statement, which he made unto all the congregation: "If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the Lord."

The entering wedge is, that God is placed wrong, positionally. In all things He should be first. David placed Him second. Perhaps unintentionally, but certainly, wrongly.

Every one seems to want to drag God in somewhere. They get up their scheme and then ask God to bless it. They plan out some new departure and then tag on God’s name, to what is purely a worldly enterprise.

We should never say, "If it seem good unto you, and." Our method of approach should be always: "If it seem good unto God, and."

3. The second step wherein David went astray was that he consulted about how the Ark should be brought up, when the Lord had said how it was to be brought.

The Ark by construction was made to be carried and not carted. The Ark had handles for the very purpose of being borne upon the shoulders of the Levites.

The Ark by instruction was ordered to be carried and not carted. Had David stayed upon his God and obeyed His voice, he would never have allowed the captains and the people to have placed God’s Ark upon a newly made cart.

We must at all costs cling to every "Thus saith the Lord." We cannot afford to hear any contrary voice, no matter how winsome or how strong that voice may be. "Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR