Don’t Give Up
It’s November and I’ve been thinking about all that I am grateful for…the good and the hard. You know, sometimes we need to fight to be thankful in the midst of hard. We need to be deliberate and intentional. Worship, for me, is a great way to thank God for all He has done for me.
David was great at worshiping God. There’s a story about David in 1 Chronicles chapters 13-16. It shares the trials and triumphs of bringing the Ark of God back to Jerusalem.
David got a plan on how to move the Ark. He had a cart, the singers, all of Israel was there. Uzzah and Ahio had the unique honor of guiding the cart. David and all the people were having church! They were celebrating “with all their might” because the presence of God is with them again. Then the ox stumbled and Uzzah put his hand on the Ark to steady it and God, in His anger, killed him. Well, David was shocked and feared God. He put the Ark in the home of Obed-Edom for three months. (13:1-14)
Can you relate to David? I can. I know God is with me. I know He is with my family. I know He has a purpose and plan for my life. I am doing all I know to do: serving, worshiping, spending time with Him, being faithful and WHAM! Something happens I totally and completely don’t understand. I’m stumped and shaken. Then I kinda stumble around trying to gain my footing again. Anyone else?
Life has a way of not stopping no matter what just happened. David went on establishing his kingdom, getting married…several times…having kids and fought a war with the Philistines. Interesting note here, when David went to God for wisdom about fighting the Philistines, it was after the Uzzah incident. We don’t always need to understand things to be faithful in our walk with God. (14:1-17)
OK, moving on…David figures out that they didn’t follow the plan God laid out. “So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the Ark of the LORD, the God of Israel. And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD.” (15:14&15)
So they do it again, God’s way and no one dies and the Ark gets put in the tent David made for it. All of Israel was celebrating and worshiping God, David most of all. But Michal, David’s wife watched him and despised him in her heart. (15:29)
Sometimes people … sometimes Christians … who are supposed to love us and support us don’t. When I feel judged it’s disheartening and hard to focus on God. I have had to learn to leave that with them and God.
Then David sings a song of thanks. (16:7-36)
What I love about this story is that even when everything went wrong the first time and Uzzah died and then Michal despised him, David never gave up. He didn’t stop going to God. He looked for wisdom. He looked for guidance. With the fear. With the doubt. He still went to God.
It encourages me to be faithful and intentional in my walk with God. To not look at all the things happening around me or to me, but to look up and know that God is good. He is worthy of my gratitude and worship regardless of what I feel or see happening.
So, no matter what is happening in us, with us, around us or to us: God is near; God loves us and He is worthy of all our thanks and worship.
I hope you have a great, beautiful, wonderful day!
All My Love ~
Jodi xoxo
(There is so much in these chapters, check them out and see what God wants to show you.)
Also, quick reminder: God loves you and is with you wherever you go!
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