The Entrance to the Presence

David failed to follow clearly laid out scriptures regarding the transport of the Ark into his city. It was for this Uzzah was judged with death and David feared bringing the Ark, leaving it in the care of a man named, "Obed-Edom." Time passed and word spread, however:
2 Samuel 6:12 (ESV) And it was told King David, “The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing.

Now we have a clear understanding of the changed David made in his second attempt in 1 Chronicles 15. David commissioned the proper Levite officers in proper garments with proper sacrifices to accompany the transport of the Ark. David went to Holy Scripture and clearly followed the Lord's protocol in bringing up the Ark. It reads,

1 Chronicles 15:12–15 (ESV) and said to them (the priests), “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites. Consecrate yourselves, you and your brothers, so that you may bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. 13 Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” 14 So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel. 15 And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD.

Note that line, "because we did not seek him according to the rule." There were scriptural instructions for coming before the visible representation of the Lord in Israel. They were laid out by Moses so that Israel might learn that the Lord God they serve is NOT the god of their imaginations but rather the established Holy Person of Yahweh. Because of moments like this in Israel, we are taught about our approach to God in heaven. We are taught to come to Him according to the rule of scripture for our lives. 

The problem for many people who "give God a chance" and then find disappointment is that they never actually listened to what He said, but just glanced at a church service, went through some religious motions or experienced a felt need which led them to some type of religious observance for a while. In the end, they did not come to God in WORSHIP, they came to God in self-centered ambition, hoping to find a supernatural uptick for their life. 

The rule of scripture teaches us how to truly experience God as HE has laid out in order that we might live WITH Him, not simply "get things from Him."

So what are the rules from this passage (2 Samuel 6) that we can translate into the New Covenant reality? First, we come before God with humility, acknowledging our sin. This is the meaning of the sacrifices mentioned in 1 Samuel 6. 

2 Samuel 6:13 (ESV) And when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal.

To experience God today, a person must recognize the NEED to be cleansed from sin by sacrifice. The good news for the New Covenant worshipper is that we have a once-for-all sacrifice made on our behalf by the Son of David, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:10)! Acknowledging your need for cleansing is the way forward in TRUE worship. 

Second, we come before God through His established priesthood. The priesthood of the Old Covenant represent the Church in the New Covenant. Peter calls us "a royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). "Royal" meaning of a kingly family and "priesthood" meaning representatives of God on earth. David wears the Ephod in this passage to present us a picture of royalty and priesthood coming together to usher in God's presence. 

2 Samuel 6:14–15 (ESV) And David danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn.

So many people want to experience God with zero accountability to a local Church ordered by scripture, with Elders and Pastors. The Church is God's functional ambassador by which reconciliation is offered. Paul says, 

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 (ESV) All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

My question is, do you WANT God's presence in your life? Then come to Him as He has prescribed. Come to Him on His terms with a humble heart ready for His Word to transform you and shape you. The world already has its fill of self-centered "worshippers" seeking religious experience or divine blessing according to their selfish lusts. God offers you His real and powerful presence in a Church where Christ is preached, where Biblical order is established and where people genuinely care about bringing other people to God.