From Mad to Glad

Then David summoned the priests, Zadok and Abiathar, and these Levite leaders: Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. He said to them, “You are the leaders of the Levite families. You must purify yourselves and all your fellow Levites, so you can bring the Ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. Because you Levites did not carry the Ark the first time, the anger of the LORD our God burst out against us. We failed to ask God how to move it properly.” So the priests and the Levites purified themselves in order to bring the Ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to Jerusalem. Then the Levites carried the Ark of God on their shoulders with its carrying poles, just as the LORD had instructed Moses. [1 Chronicles 15.11-15]

Then David and the elders of Israel and the generals of the army went to the house of Obed-edom to bring the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant up to Jerusalem with a great celebration. And because God was clearly helping the Levites as they carried the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who carried the Ark, and also the singers, and Kenaniah the choir leader. David was also wearing a priestly garment. So all Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant with shouts of joy, the blowing of rams’ horns and trumpets, the crashing of cymbals, and loud playing on harps and lyres. [1 Chronicles 15.25-28]

Previously, David was angry at God because of the death of Uzzah in transporting the Ark of God in a manner inconsistent with God's instructions for doing so. But in today's One Year Chronological Bible reading, we see that David went from mad to glad.

What made the difference? Repentance.

Look at the first passage above: Because you Levites did not carry the Ark the first time, the anger of the LORD our God burst out against us. We failed to ask God how to move it properly.

David spent whatever time necessary to think about what happened, got over his anger, and instead confessed that the Ark had been moved improperly the first time. Following David's repentance, they moved the Ark of God the right way and joy was their condition in so doing.

David's example is a simple lesson for us all. Even though we may at first get mad about suffering curses for our sin, we should evaluate ourselves and allow the LORD to show us where we went wrong, confess it, and do it right going forward. This is what repentance is: turning away from the wrong thing and turning to the right thing. God's blessings are upon our obedience.

And, here is a good place to point out that faith is itself an act of obedience. Faith (of which every man and woman is given equal measure) prompts us to do good works (2 Thessalonians 1.11-12). In every good work Jesus did, He was prompted by faith to do so. So, it is no wonder that Jesus continually instructed His followers to have (live by) faith and even used Himself as THE example of what that obedience of faith would look like:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. (John 14.12)

I point out that faith is an act of obedience because in this Age of Grace, many find themselves no longer feeling obligated to repent. I am not sure where this notion comes from because Jesus Himself used the word "repent" repeatedly. So, even if a person finds himself not knowing what to repent of when curses come upon his life, he must remember that faith is an act of obedience and if his faith doesn't work, then he is in need of repentance for his lack of faith!

We must remain mindful that blessings are the reward for obedience and curses are the reward for disobedience. This is eternal and absolute truth established by God and clearly detailed in Deuteronomy 28. The writer of Proverbs notes also that: Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim. [Proverbs 26.2] In other words, curses never come for no reason - they are ALWAYS the result of sin.

Like David, instead of getting mad, we are always tasked with understanding why we experience a curse, confessing it, and repenting. Subsequent blessings are promised in return (2 Chronicles 7.14). Denial that a curse is resultant to sin is just plain ignorant in light of solid Bible teaching. Sometimes, "sin" might just be "not believing" (a lack of faith) but even then, it remains sin and therefore deserving of curses.

Repentance is an act of humility. It provides the atmosphere in which faith can work. It was Jesus' humility to become obedient to death on the cross that His greatest work of faith was accomplished:

He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. [Philippians 2.8]

So, although no one enjoys curses (bad things happening), we all have the exact same opportunity - we are all equipped with the same measure of faith - to repent and find joy (not to mention release from the curse). It must be said here again, if the curse remains, then repentance remains necessary. No human being is qualified to ever say, when curses remain, that he is sin-free. Therefore the only prescription is to repent until there is restoration. Yes, it takes humility - like that of Jesus on the cross. Getting mad is the opposite of humility...

Father, forgive me for allowing myself to get confused when "I don't think sin is in my life" or "that I didn't or don't deserve curses." I want to humble myself, pray and seek Your face, and turn from my wicked ways (including my lack of faith) until You hear my prayer, forgive my sin, and "heal my land."