Consider the first part of our reading today. The people from all of Israel gather to make David king. I find it intriguing the way each group is given specific qualities, and their numbers are presented to us.
Judah- 6,800 bearing shield and speak
Simeon – 7,100 mighty men of valor
Levi and Jehoiada – 8,300 and Zadok – a valiant warrior who sent 22 captains
Benjamin – 3,000
Ephraim 20,800 men who were valiant and famous throughout their house
The half tribe of Manasseh – 18,000 who were designated by name to come
Issachar – 200 chiefs who had an understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do
Zebulun – 50,000 who were expert at war with all weapons of war, stouthearted and could keep ranks
Naphtali – 37,000 with shield and spear and 1,000 captain
Dan – 28,600 who could keep battle formation
Asher – 40,000 who could go out to war and keep formation
Reubenites, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh – 120,000 armed for battle with every kind of weapon
If my math is right, that’s 338,122 fighting men who came to the feast at Hebron to make David king.. They feasted and drank for three days. How much food would be required for this kind of feast? They brought the food in on donkeys and camels from all over Israel. Canyou even imagine this spectacular feast?
It is well worth celebrating the victories in our life, and there are many. We should let our friends celebrate with us as well. Not as in a birthday party, or a Thanksgiving feast when we bring family together, but just to be with friends and give thanks for all God has done in our lives.His victories are worth celebrating!
The story of Uzzah and the ark is tragic, but is a great lesson for us. We should never treat the Holy S[pirit and the presence of God lightly! He does not come into our presence just to be there, but he comes to be praised. He comes to be glorified. He comes to be worshipped. He does not come so that we can brag on our accomplishments, but He does come to bless us. He does not come so we can boast on how righteous we are, or how we hear from God. He comes so we can be still and know that He is God.
It is no wonder that the church today has lost its power. The power comes from the presence of God, and we hardly know He is there anymore. We think we feel Him when all it is is our emotions running high from a magnificent worship service that lifts up what He has done for us, rather than lifting Him up. The songs of today typically tell us what he has done for us. There is nothing wrong with that, but that is not worship. Worship is lifting up the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Worship is magnifying His name for who He is, not what He has done. Worship is the Levites lifting up the ark, by the poles, and carrying it. There is no substitute. We are fortunate we live in the age of grace, because many would die for mishandling the Presence of God in this day and age.
Let us make it our intention to be very thankful for the victories that he brings to us, and be ever holy in our worship. He is worthy of praise, even if we are stricken with sickness and pain. He is worthy even if we lose everything. He is worthy in all situations at all times. because God never changes even though our circumstances do. He is always worthy of the respect, awe and adoration of our hearts. May we always acknowledge Him. Then, He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:6)
God's Maintenance Man 