Never Take God For Granted

I’m sure that all of us (at one time or another) have been guilty of “Taking God For Granted.” Ironically, our nation (which was founded upon Christianity and Biblical Judeo-Christian principles) now not only chooses to “Take God For Granted” but we presently have become a nation that seems to be obsessed with eradicating any and all vestiges of God from our entire society.
Tragically, this nation’s attitude towards God did not simply change overnight, it happened over an extended period of time, as this nation gradually began to no longer reverence God, but instead chose to treat Him merely as a casual acquaintance… BUT IF WE CONTINUE TO DO SO, WE WILL DO SO AT WHAT PRICE?
I think about Israel, when David became King. And one of the first items on his agenda was to bring the Ark of God to the city of Jerusalem. (Now the Ark of God represented the presence and glory of God in Israel; and David decided to make it his highest priority to bring the ark out of the shadows and back into prominence in the nation.)
For almost 100 years, that ark had been in all but utter obscurity (ever since the Philistines had returned it after first capturing it under the leadership of the wicked priests Hophni and Phineas. For although the Philistines had captured it, they soon found out that the Ark was just “Too Hot of an item for them To Handle” so back to Israel it was sent.)
It eventually was placed at the house of Abinadab in Kiriathjearim (the place where it had been resting for well nigh a century). But David now senses that the time is ripe to re-introduce the presence and glory of God to his nation. So, with “Great Joy” preparations are hastily made to bring the ark from the house of Abinadab to Jerusalem.
Without going in to all the specifics, the citizens are given open invitation, the orchestra is assembled, the Praise and Worship team is gathered—all to join in the celebration of the joyous event of moving God’s presence to the capital.
Uzzah and Ahio, (most likely grandsons of Abinadab) place the Ark on a new cart to bring it to Jerusalem. And as they bring the ark out of the house of Abinadab, the nation is ecstatic. But then, “Suddenly” something totally unanticipated occurs.
(***That’s the thing about Life, it’s never all those things that we have made preparations for that end up catching us by surprise, but rather…It’s all those things that none of us ever thought would happen to us…they’re the things that always knock us off our feet!***)
We are never told what caused the cart to shudder to such a degree that it appeared that the ark was in danger of falling off the cart—whatever the cause of the sudden upheaval, Uzzah reaches out his hand and grabs hold of the ark to steady it…only at the moment that he touches it…he is instantly slain.
The instruments stopped playing, the singers stop singing, the worshipers stop worshipping, all because what had started out as a celebration has suddenly turned into a funeral procession.
Furthermore, Scripture makes it clear as to the cause of death, it was not “Death by Natural Cause” and the devil didn’t do it either. For Scripture clearly states that, “The anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error.”
In Exodus 25, God’s Word made it very clear on how the ark was to be carried—“ONLY” on the shoulders of the Levites. (***Knowing exactly what the Word of God says, could well be the difference between life and death for all of us!***)
We should also note that, Uzzah wasn’t just anybody; he grew up in the house of Abinadab, the place where the ark had rested for the last century. Only it seems that he had gotten so accustomed to having the presence of God in the house until he literally had “Taken God’s Presence For Granted!” God help us to never get so casual with the appearance of His presence in our midst until we disrespect Him by showing Him attitudes of apathy and indifference!
Uzzah made a decision to disregard God's command, choosing instead to do what “…Seemed Right to Him…” (even though he knew better) and his actions cost him his life.
God is as good as His Word—what God says in His Word that He will do, what He says is right will always be right, and what He says is sin, will always be sin! And He’s not going to change His Word… Not for the Supreme Court, not for the President, not for the Congress, and definitely not for you or for me.
God’s Word and/or His precepts should “Never Be Taken for Granted” and this generation, above all others, have less excuse for “NOT” knowing His Word and His precepts than all who have lived before us!
Uzzah’s intention to help was right enough; but his profound insensibility to the sacredness of God’s Presence cost him his life. May God help each of us to “NEVER” Take His Presence for Granted!
Just a Thought,
Pastor Ken Jones