May 21, 2006 - I Chronicles 13-15 and John 7:1-27
These two passages show us how important it is to seek God's guidance constantly. How do you seek the Lord's direction for your life each day? Is it a regular part of your unhurried time with the Lord? We must make sure that we don't think we can get by without God's guidance even for one day.
In chapter 13 David prepares to bring the ark up to Jerusalem. He makes sure that everyone is in agreement with the decision. He makes careful plans to carry the ark on a new cart and to have lots of music. However, he does not consult God's Word about the proper way to carry the ark, so Uzza dies when he touches the ark. This was a terrible tragedy, but it was totally preventable. All David had to do was to follow God's Word. He did not do that. He did it his way. His way ended in death. The Bible tells us that there is a way that seems right to man, but the end of it is death. Please, don't take for granted that your way is right. Find out what God says about it first.
Chapter 14 contains the account of 2 battles. In each case David sought God's guidance in prayer. God gave Him direction, and David won both battles. The unique thing is that God gave him a different plan each time. David had to seek the Lord in prayer, and he had to refrain from assuming that God would do it the same way twice. It is the same way with us. There are some things that are not written in God's Word. We must learn to hear God's voice daily, so we can be prepared to do His will. Then, we must faithfully obey His voice. There is no other way to live in victory each day. I believe that each morning in our unhurried time, we must pray for God's guidance for that day and listen for His response. Then, we must continue to listen all day.
Chapter 15 shows that David learned his lesson about the ark. Maybe, he learned because of the 2 battles. Whatever happened, he did it right the second time. There were no problems, because they followed God's directions for the ark. It would have been so much better to have done it right the first time. We can all relate to this. It seems to be human nature to learn by trial and error, but God does not want that. He wants us to learn from His Word and to listen to Him, so we don't have to sin the first time by missing His will.
John 7 shows us the same principle. Jesus waited to go to the feast. It was not His time yet. He was going on the timetable of the Father. Then, when He went to the feast He began to teach. (v.14) The people were divided on His teaching. Some believed Him and some did not. Why was this the case? Some wanted to do His will, and some were not seeking His will. (v.17) Those who were seeking His guidance received it from Him, but the others missed it because of their selfish agenda. I pray that you will not have a self centered agenda today. I pray that today and every day, you will seek God's guidance and walk with Him in His way. It is the road to blessing, instead of death.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 16-18 and John 7:28-53.
In chapter 13 David prepares to bring the ark up to Jerusalem. He makes sure that everyone is in agreement with the decision. He makes careful plans to carry the ark on a new cart and to have lots of music. However, he does not consult God's Word about the proper way to carry the ark, so Uzza dies when he touches the ark. This was a terrible tragedy, but it was totally preventable. All David had to do was to follow God's Word. He did not do that. He did it his way. His way ended in death. The Bible tells us that there is a way that seems right to man, but the end of it is death. Please, don't take for granted that your way is right. Find out what God says about it first.
Chapter 14 contains the account of 2 battles. In each case David sought God's guidance in prayer. God gave Him direction, and David won both battles. The unique thing is that God gave him a different plan each time. David had to seek the Lord in prayer, and he had to refrain from assuming that God would do it the same way twice. It is the same way with us. There are some things that are not written in God's Word. We must learn to hear God's voice daily, so we can be prepared to do His will. Then, we must faithfully obey His voice. There is no other way to live in victory each day. I believe that each morning in our unhurried time, we must pray for God's guidance for that day and listen for His response. Then, we must continue to listen all day.
Chapter 15 shows that David learned his lesson about the ark. Maybe, he learned because of the 2 battles. Whatever happened, he did it right the second time. There were no problems, because they followed God's directions for the ark. It would have been so much better to have done it right the first time. We can all relate to this. It seems to be human nature to learn by trial and error, but God does not want that. He wants us to learn from His Word and to listen to Him, so we don't have to sin the first time by missing His will.
John 7 shows us the same principle. Jesus waited to go to the feast. It was not His time yet. He was going on the timetable of the Father. Then, when He went to the feast He began to teach. (v.14) The people were divided on His teaching. Some believed Him and some did not. Why was this the case? Some wanted to do His will, and some were not seeking His will. (v.17) Those who were seeking His guidance received it from Him, but the others missed it because of their selfish agenda. I pray that you will not have a self centered agenda today. I pray that today and every day, you will seek God's guidance and walk with Him in His way. It is the road to blessing, instead of death.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 16-18 and John 7:28-53.