1 Chronicles 13-16: Be Very Careful How You Touch the Ark

You can't fetch the Ark of the Lord in any old way.  The Israelites found that out when they tried to bring the Ark back from Ashdod where the Philistines had taken it after they captured it.  The first time they tried to bring it back, Uzzah was killed when he tripped and accidentally touched the Ark.  The Israelites left the Ark like a hot potato at the home of Obed-Edom who prospered because of the Ark's presence.  Obviously, there was some power attached to the Ark that the Israelites were missing. 

The second time, David was going to make sure that everything is done properly and in order. The priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel.  The Levites appointed fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals. Doorkeepers were appointed for the Ark.  So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing. Because God had helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, seven bulls and seven rams were sacrificed. Now David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the musicians, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs. David also wore a linen ephod. So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouts, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps.  1 Chron. 15:25-28 NIV

There is only one way to approach a Holy God and it is on his terms.  Sometimes I think we've gotten too loose with our worship.  There is nothing sacred about the way we approach God.  We approach him in our everyday clothes, give him a pat on the back, sing a song to tickle our ears and call that enough.  Just as the Ark was a force to be reckoned with, we should not approach God lightly.  Our God is an awesome God.

2010 Post - 1 Chronicles 13-16:  The Splendor of His Holiness