Our Daily Bread

Live in the Presence of God

1 Chron. 13:1-14

David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (Kiriath Jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the Lord, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name. (6)

David had a holy desire to bring back the ark of God to the City of David. It had been neglected during the reign of Saul. What does the ark of God symbolize? The ark symbolizes God’s presence with his people. The ark became the place of atonement, meeting and revelation between God and Israel. Blood was sprinkled on the cover of the ark to make atonement for the people. It is said that there above the mercy seat between the cherubim God met with his people. Inside the ark were the two stone tablets (the Ten Commandments), a jar of manna and Aaron’s rod that had blossomed and budded. We meet God through hearing his word as the Ten Commandments suggest. David bringing back the ark represents a return to God and restoring the covenant relationship with God, for the ark was also known as the ark of the covenant.

When we come to God’s word in the morning it is like renewing the covenant with God through the blood of Jesus. I need to hear God’s word daily so that I can live in God’s presence. Without God’s word, I am like a fish out of water, lost and directionless. 

Bringing back the ark was a joyful occasion. The people were dancing and singing before the Lord. Our Christian life should characterized by joy. 

But then something happened to interrupt their joy. Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark. When he did this, he was showing irreverence for God. No one was allowed to touch the ark. God is holy. At that moment, God struck Uzzah and he died before God. Suddenly, joy turned to anger and grief because of sin. Here, I am reminded that God is holy and that as sinners we must approach God in God’s way. It is good to be joyful and praise the Lord but we must do so with reverence. We must come to God in God’s way. We come to God through the Son. Jesus is our Mediator and our Great High Priest. No one can see God without the Son. The blood of Jesus is our atonement cover. This is the only way that sinners can approach God. Jesus Christ is central to my relationship with God.

After this event, David was afraid of God. He did not bring the ark to the City of David. Instead, he sent it to the house of Obed-Edom the Giddite. The passage ends with this statement: “The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had” (14).

Although God had broken out against Uzzah for putting his hand on the ark, ultimately God wants to bless his people. God blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he had. The presence of God is awesome and fearful. At the same time, the presence of God means blessing. We should revere God and come to God in God’s way but we must not cower before God like slaves do before a mean master. God is a benevolent and loving God. He wants to bless us. The condition is that we must come to God in His way and revere Him as the holy God.

Lord, help me to come to you through the Son and by the Spirit. Thank you for your word. Help me to live in your presence daily and follow your word. Bless my household and make us a blessing. Restore North America as a godly nation. Be with your church and make us a royal priesthood and a holy nation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One Word: Come to the Father through the Son and live in God’s presence!