I Chronicles 13:12
‘David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?”’
This was a crisis of faith for David. He and all the people were shocked. The death of Uzziah wasn’t expected. David knew the Lord quite well. Probably more than any human alive. Yet, he wasn’t prepared for Uzziah’s sudden death.
This reminds me of the dialogue Mr. and Mrs. Beaver had with Susan in the Chronicles of Narnia. When she learns that the king of the woods is a lion, she asked if he’s safe. The response is “No, but he’s good.”
We focus on God’s love and we see Jesus as being gentle and holding a lamb. He is much more than that. He is the creator and sustainer of all. He has created all the fearful animals. He created all of the terrifying dinosaurs.
God has standards. With Uzziah, he wasn’t supposed to touch the ark. It wasn’t to be transported by cart. These were holy items which were prescribed to be transported a certain way. They violated that and God punished them.
God gives consequences for sin. The wages of sin is death. If we die without God’s prescribed way of salvation, then we will spend eternity in hell. That’s harsh, but reality. If we have sex outside of marriage, our chances of getting an std is high. If we reject God in this life, He gives us up to foolishness. Even though one may sound intelligent and may be worldly wise, they are spiritual fools who believe foolish things.
I don’t like some things God has said. I wish they weren’t there. But they are and I accept them. This is what it means to fear God. We honor Him and His Word, even though we don’t like some things. We take all of the bible and all of God.
David had a hard time with today’s event. He eventually reconciled with it. It’s ok if it takes time. He’s patient with us. Pray about it. Ask Him to give us understanding and acceptance.
Pastors that only teach topics and not books of the bible skip difficult passages and the congregation is deprived of learning those things. We need to learn all of the scripture. Paul said in Acts 20:27, “for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” He didn’t only teach pleasant messages, but all of God.
It’s good to read through the entire bible every so often. There are several bibles and reading plans that give a pace of daily readings to accomplish it in a year. It exposes us to the whole counsel of God. We need to be exposed to and wrestle with tough concepts.
Hebrews 5:13 says, “For everyone partaking of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.” There are many comforting passages that if one stays there, is living on milk. Knowing all of God is eating meat. A mature believer is spiritually healthy having a good, spiritual diet.
God does teach us what we need to know. If we are in the bible and walking with Christ, we will learn those things. There will be difficult times as David experienced in today’s verse. It took him time to accept this lesson. So we will mature in time if we are walking with Christ. Like a study oak tree takes time, so will we grow and become strong in time.
Lord, help us to know all of You. Thank You for lovingly teaching us. You help us in the tough times. Thank You for teaching us to fear You.