GOOD, BETTER, BEST

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever.  (1 Chronicles 16:34 and Psalms 118:1, NIV)

Sounds familiar, right? We often sing this popular chorus as a praise to the Lord. And well we should.

David composed this celebration song when the Ark of the Covenant returned to Jerusalem.

The movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark, offers an entertaining attempt, but bringing the Ark out of the woods to a safe dwelling place, was no small feat. In fact, it cost a man his life.

Though Uzzah had the best of intentions, David used the wrong men and method to move the Ark. And God issued a message, loud and swift.

David’s reaction to Uzzah’s death? Anger. At God! After all, Uzzah was just trying to help. Image result for free to use james tissot's picture of the ark of the covenant

But God’s action proclaimed His anger. The dead man beside the Ark served as proof.

Designed by God, the Ark symbolized a covenant between Him and His people. He’d laid out the specifications with great detail. Its construction, its covering, and how and who should carry it. Much like a parent, our Heavenly Father gave step-by-step instructions. For our good. Just as He’d done from Day One.

Whether our intentions are righteous or not, if we haven’t followed God’s guidelines, consequences will follow.

David, the man after God’s own heart, learned of the goodness of God through this incident and many others. We know this because, in the next verse (1 Chron. 16:35), David encourages us to cry out, “Save us, God our Savior.”

We can count on this constant: His mercies and love endure forever, unshakeable and never-ending.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9, NIV)

By Amre Cortadino

To leave a comment, click on the title above, GOOD, BETTER, BEST, and scroll down. Thank you!  🙂

 

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Sherry Shindelar
Sherry Shindelar
3 years ago

Amre, I’ve been reading through 1 Chronicles and 1 Kings recently, and I read about the incident with the Ark a couple of days ago. I had a little bit of the attitude that “he was just trying to help,” but I figured God wanted to teach them proper respect. So I greatly appreciate your further insights. Regardless of our intentions, if we’re not following God’s guidelines, there will be consequences. Thank God, for his enduring love.

Valerie Cullers
3 years ago

This story always gives me pause. We serve a righteous holy God! Such a good post!

Patti Shene
3 years ago

Great message, Amre! This post, like your others, is an inspiration.

Kathy McKinsey
3 years ago

Thank you. One of my favorite verses, from 1 John.:)

Mary Pat Johns
3 years ago

Oh, this is good! Love the line–“after all, he was just trying to help.” Doesn’t that just nail it? Thanks for such a timely devo.

Dave
Dave
3 years ago

Thanks for clarifying, Erma.

My ancestors in the north of England said the Viking raiders were enough.
“Enough, already!”

Then the Raiders moved from Norway to Oakland.
Or is it Las Vegas?

After Harrison Ford, what does it matter?

So glad you shoved my focus back around to Moses.

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