READ 1 CHRONICLES 15:11–15
King David was angry. He tried to return the ark of God to Jerusalem, and Uzzah was killed in the process (2 Samuel 6:3–8). God was also upset. David had not consulted God’s instructions on how to return the ark to Jerusalem.
Perhaps David thought transporting the ark of God on a cart would be the fastest way to take it to its destination, but that was not the command of God. As a result, Uzzah died because he tried to save the ark from falling off the cart. It was a natural instinct to grab the ark with his hand, but it was still a disobedience of God’s command.
“It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way” (1 Chronicles 15:13).
When David obeyed God and followed His instructions explicitly, the ark of God arrived safely in Jerusalem without further mishap or loss of life. It’s a reminder that, even though an action may seem right, it’s important to obey God above all else.
Challenge for Today: Choose to follow God’s plans for your life instead of your own plans.
