“And David was afraid of God that day, saying, ‘How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?'”  1 Chronicles 13:12  (KJB)

There is an old saying that, “Ignorance is bliss.”  Not in the case we look at today though.

The fear David experienced was due to his ignorance, or lack of concern for holy things; and I believe it was just plain ignorance on David’s part.  God got his attention though.  Ignorance of God’s order of worship.  Things of holiness and worship are to be done God’s way, not man’s.

There was nothing wrong with the musical instruments (1 Chronicles 13:8), or with the celebration mood.  It was the means of moving the ark to  Jerusalem which angered God, and He struck Uzza dead.  The Philistines had moved the ark that way (1 Samuel 6:1-19), but God’s people were to move the ark on the shoulders of the Levites chosen for that task (1 Chronicles 15:2).

Doing a good thing the wrong way is not right – especially in the case here of the ark of God.

If we are going to do that good thing of worshiping God, then, let us choose to do it His way.  His way, the only way is through the cross of Jesus Christ.  His death, burial, and resurrection is the only means of access to the throne of God which is the “throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16).  Through Jesus alone we get into His  presence, and He carries you and me.

`Tim A. Blankenship