Today;s reading got me thinking about the time the ark was in Philistine hands. I recalled that the Philistines were stuck with sores and pain all over their body, but were never killed for handling the Ark wrong. They put it on a cart to move it around, and then to send it back to Israel. Nowhere does it say they did not touch it to move it around. Yet, when one member of Israel’s procession to bring the ark back to Jerusalem puts his hand out to steady the ark, he dies. David then remembers that the Levites were called to carry the ark, and not put it on a cart. He does it right the second time.
This is a powerful lesson to all of us. We see and hear the world all the time using the Lord’s name in vain as our precious Savior is the number one name used as a curse word, and the Father is right along with Him. We see the world dishonoring their parents, ignoring the Sabbath, making idols for themselves, stealing, and coveting all the time. Yet it seems they are held unaccountable for these things. While if we as Christians do the same, we are not only mocked by society for being hypocrites, but in trouble of breaking God’s commands, and thus in danger of losing our souls. Is this a double standard on God’s part?
No, it is not. Not at all. We are held accountable for the light that has been shined on our own lives. James 4:17 says that if we know to do good, and do not do it, it is sin for us. The world does not realize what they’re saying is wrong. But if we, as Christians, take on the same language, we know better, and it is sin for us. If we know to do something that the Bible has taught us, that is light that has been shed on our path. John 1:4 says that in Jesus was life, and His life was the Light of men. As we follow Jesus, He, through His words, becomes the Light that brings us out of darkness. When we walk in the Light, as He is in the Light, we have fellowship with God. but if we ignore that Light, we walk in darkness, which is sin. The world is already in darkness, and needs the Light to shine through us by our actions and words. That is why Christians are held to a higher standard, and we should be! And that is why the Philistines weren’t killed for mishandling the ark, but the Israelites were. Israel knew better!
David;s dancing before the Lord caused Michal to be very distressed and upset, and resulted in her becoming barren. She was the love of David;s life, but never bore him a child. The result of mocking the worship of God is never good. I have nothing against dancing before the Lord, as long as it is done decently and in order. I have seen many that do not follow this. They are accountable for what they do. I am not accountable for them, and will stand back and rejoice with them because they are rejoicing. It does the body of Christ no good to mock them, as this might make our own church barren. bearing no fruit. But if we do see something that is out of morder in our church, we should take it to the Pastor and let him deal with it. And it should be dealt with privately at first, not publicly, unless it is a dangerous teaching that is completely wrong. That has to be stopped immediately. In this portion of scripture, David is doing nothing wrong at all. He is thrilled the glory of God is back in Jerusalem, and he is celebrating. We should celebrate the awesome presence of God!
God's Maintenance Man 