PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 1 Chronicles 12-13
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Let us bring the ark of our God back to us…” (1 Chronicles 13:3)
The ark represented God’s presence among the people, ‘God with us’.
David’s desire was to restore God to the center of Israel’s life.
This is why he is remembered as the greatest king Israel ever had.
By the time this book was written, he was the pattern for the coming messiah.
As king, David is making things right, since the people had strayed from God.
“For we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.” (1 Chronicles 13:3)
Saul becomes the contrast to David, and the contrast to the coming messiah.
Saul separates the people from God, and does not make God the center.
Saul represents all God-appointed leaders who put up walls between God and people.
“My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.” (Luke 19:46)
Jesus not only cleans out the temple, he replaces it by being ‘God with us’.
The Chronicler is presenting David as a sign of hope, God will one day set things right!
Jesus is the one that makes things right – better than Saul and greater than David!
He gets rid of our need for an ark or temple so we can inquire of God anytime, anywhere!
PRAYER
Lord, thank you that I don’t need a golden box or a temple to connect with God. Thank you for reconnecting me to God, so that I can inquire of you anytime, anywhere!
“Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of[c] it[d] during the reign of Saul.” That was the downfall of Saul’s reign – trying to do it on his own. He started out well but in time took things in his own hand. David had many who rallied around him and volunteered to fight for him to take over. David had a good idea – he wanted to ‘bring God’ back. That was good, but God will not be directed under man’s ways – David had to learn too. The incident of Uzzah’s death frightened him. His ‘good intentions’ were squashed. I too need to see God on God’s terms – not mine. God is not a ‘sugar daddy’ – a Santa Claus that can give me what I want on my terms. I need to reflect how I am on God’s side – on Jesus’ mission. It starts with inquiring and connecting all through the day with God.
A rising star David was with all the men coming to Him. His desire to have the ark with him shows that his heart was right – for Emmanuel -God with us -did happen through Christ our Lord. I need His presence every hour as I live in His presence.
I need Thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior!
I come to Thee.