David has had a rough go of things at the beginning of his reign as king. He lost Uzzah and he's been attacked repeatedly by his age-old nemesis, the Philistines in 1 Chronicles 13-14. But all those moments were lessons that would lead David into the best possible place, the presence of God.
We need to learn to thank God when we face difficulties that disturb us. David was disturbed by Uzzah's death at the hand of God and then no doubt was disturbed by the attacks on his kingdom by the Philistines. Now he's come around to learn the value of listening to God. In 1 Chronicles 15, he lays out clearly why things went so poorly for the kingdom up to this time.
1 Chronicles 15:1–2 (ESV) David built houses for himself in the city of David. And he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. 2 Then David said that no one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD had chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister to him forever.
Notice David has homes for himself. He's blessed and prosperous. But for this once lowly God-fearing shepherd there could be no true fulfillment without the presence of God. Now he's informed as to how it is to be handled. The Word of God stipulates the Levites are to carry it and David clarifies that there is a serious order to this ministry they neglected before. They will not make the same mistake twice.
1 Chronicles 15:12–13 (ESV) and (David) said to them (Levites), “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.”
Notice David's last phrase there: "because we did not seek him according to the rule." David learned the hard way that listening to the voice of God brings life and not listening brings death. If we want the presence of God, we must listen to Him and obey what He says.
So many Christians want the presence of God but they don't want to listen to Him. They don't want to do what He says. David illustrates for us a king who listens to God and leads them into His presence.
1 Chronicles 15:14–15 (ESV) 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.
Now, with God's Word obeyed, the people experience the presence. And this whole event brings great joy to David.
1 Chronicles 15:25–26 (ESV) So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom with rejoicing. 26 And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.
I love this. He's so full of joy. He's dancing and celebrating as God comes into the city.
David illustrates a few important realities for us. First, we will never be satisfied with our things without the presence of God. Second, we enter the presence of God His way - through Christ and His shed blood - not according to our own imaginations. Finally, the presence brings us joy that knows no bounds.
Listen to God, hear and obey, live in the joy of His presnce.
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