The Right Road

O. T. #686  "The Right Road"
February 2, 2016
2 Samuel 6-Part 4
We failed to ask God how to move it properly.  1 Chronicles 15:13b NLT


LET IT GLOW

Have you ever been driving in a big city with highways going this way and that, and none of them are familiar to you? That happened to us a few weeks ago in Ft. Worth. We went there for a Vacation Bible School clinic, along with another couple. Every time we got in the car, we got lost. Now mind you, I had the directions to here and yonder printed out with details. The problem was it did not inform us of the unmarked detours due to construction. Thankfully, our friend had a map on her phone that got us to the right destinations. We found it was difficult to remain on the right road all the time. Once we sought help from the informed source, we went right to our destination because it knew right where we were and what we needed to do to get back on the right road. God is that way. He knows right where we are, where He wants us to go, and how to get us there on the right road. David was in that predicament, too.

You will recall that David and the Israelites were excited about bringing the Ark of God home to Jerusalem. They were on their way to accomplishing this task when Uzzah touched it in order to steady the Ark and prevent it from falling off the new cart as they went down hill. David got mad at God for this act of judgment. He asked how he could bring the Ark back into his care. David did not continue transporting the Ark toward Jerusalem, but he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath. It was a detour off the right road of obedience. The Ark remained there for 3 months. That is where we are in this story.

My Chronological Bible skips over to 1 Chronicles 15 with more details. We find out that David had built several buildings in Jerusalem. He also prepared a place for the Ark of God and set up a special tent for it. Apparently he did some research during those 3 months because David commanded:

• No one except the Levites may carry the Ark of God.
• The Lord had chosen them to carry the Ark of the LORD.
• The Levite priests were summoned to Jerusalem, 862 of them listed by their clans, descendants, and leaders.
• David instructed the Levites to purify themselves and all their fellow Levites so they could bring the Ark to the place he had prepared for it.
• David explained that because they did not carry the Ark of God the first time, God's anger burst out against them.
• David admitted that they had failed to ask God how to move it properly.

I am glad to read that the Israelites finally got back on the right road of obedience. They had strayed off onto the wrong road of disobedience. Asking God for directions is the only way to be on the right road.

Have we been on those roads? Like the two men on the road to Emmaus, Jesus walks with us and talks with us when we are on the right road of obedience. He waits to give us directions as to how we can get on that right road of obedience when we stray away.

Lately I have been on the wrong road physically and spiritually. I have not been taking care of my body, gaining weight, drinking caffeinated drinks, not exercising, grumbling and complaining. God put me down to show me all of this. He has put me back on the right road with His grace and mercy. I am so very grateful. Anyone been there?

LET IT GROW

Are you ready for a joyful procession? What does David parade look like?

• The Levite priests were prepared with their purification and carrying poles.
• The Levite choir was ready with singers and musicians singing joyful songs accompanied by players of harps, lyres, and cymbals. They were named in 1 Chronicles 15.
• Certain men were chosen to guard the Ark of God; some were chosen to march in front of it and blow their trumpets.
• David, his generals of the Israelite army, and the elders of Israel all went to the house of Obed-edom were included in the parade.
• God was clearly helping the Levites as they carried the Ark of the LORD's Covenant, so they sacrificed 7 bulls and 7 rams along the way.

Isn't it a joyful time when we know we are on the right road with the Lord walking with us? Are there others we can help get on their right road of obedience?

LET IT GO

Stop where I am, as I travel on the wrong road of disobedience and repent.

Ask God to help me get back on the right road of obedience.

Stay focused on Him along the way, desperately needing His directions for each step.

Learn my lesson of straying on the wrong road going my way, ending up in despair.