1. Carrying the ark (much like carrying our cross) was meant to put pressure on the Israelites. Sometimes, we believers want to put our cross on a cart to make life easier for ourselves. Since life in America is all many of us know, we lose sight of the fact that there are countries that don’t experience the same religious freedoms we do. 63% of Americans say they’re Christians, so while what’s difficult for us is bound to look different than in a country where being a Christian is illegal, we should also be aware of the fact that being a Christian in America comes with benefits, and it’s our responsibility to leverage that well. Sitting a Bible on our desk at work, putting a fish sticker on our car, or wearing a cross around our neck isn’t going to create the same challenges for us that it would for someone in China. In what ways have you placed your cross on a cart to make it easier to carry? How can you pick it up again to be obedient to Jesus’ command?
2. Uzzah tried to do the right thing when he wanted to keep the Ark from touching the ground, and he died as a result. But had Israel been transporting the Ark how they were supposed to, he wouldn’t have been put in that situation. When we step out of God’s will, we leave ourselves with nothing but disastrous options. How has this manifested in your life or the life of someone you know?
3. When the Ark was left with Obed-Edem, the entire household was blessed. Seeing this helped David remember what a blessing it is to be in the presence of Go. So he retrieved the Ark and then praised and worshipped all the way back to Jerusalem. Sometimes it takes seeing other people get blessed for us to remember God's goodness. Whose household have you seen get blessed in recent memory? What can you pull away from their experience to help you remember how much praise God deserves?
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