DECISIONS: CONSEQUENCES OF FAILING TO ASK FOR GOD’S GUIDANCE

BIBLE PASSAGE(S):
“Let us bring the ark of our God back to us,
for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.”
(1 Chronicles 13:3)

“It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time
that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not
inquire of Him about how to do it in the prescribed way.”
(1 Chronicles 15:13)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever thought about the Bible as being an instruction
manual for believers? That could be bad news for those of us
who think we should try to live the Christian life ‘on our own’.
It means we are getting ahead of ourselves, right?

Have you ever put something together without reading the instructions?
Sometimes we do great and feel good about ourselves, but at other times
we do something wrong and we end up with a big mess on our hands. We
may even have to disassemble everything and start all over again at the
beginning.

When we try to ‘undo’ and ‘redo’, we may have created such a mess that
we have to toss it in the trash and buy a new one (with a plan to read the
instructions this time).

We can have the same unwanted results whenever we attempt to navigate
a sinful world as a believer in Jesus without reading the instruction manual
we have been given. When we have problems because we have not adequately
prepared (by reading God’s instruction manual), we can fully understand the
value of spending time reading what He has provided.

Failing to read instruction manuals can cost us time and sometimes money,
but failing to follow God’s instructions can result in extreme consequences.
This was what happened during the reign of David. He chose to do something
without consulting the Lord first.

David had the right idea of bringing the ark with them,
but he did it the wrong way because he failed to ask God
for His instructions. As a result, God’s anger burned against
them, and Uzzah lost his life.
    When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon,
    Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because
    the oxen stumbled. The Lord’s anger burned against
    Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put
    his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.
    (1 Chronicles 13:9-10)

The good news is, David didn’t just try it again without getting
instructions from God. After failing in his attempt to do things
his own way, he knew it was time to get the right instructions.
    David was afraid of God that day and asked,
    “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?”
    (1 Chronicles 13:12)

He announced to the people how the ark should be moved.
    Then David said, “No one but the Levites may
    carry the ark of God, because the Lord chose
    them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister
    before him forever.”
    (1 Chronicles 15:2)

Then he explained why God’s anger burned against them.
    “It was because you, the Levites, did not bring
      it up the first time that the Lord our God broke
      out in anger against us. We did not inquire of
      Him about how to do it in the prescribed way.”
      (1 Chronicles 15:13)

Things would have gone much better for David if he had
asked God first. They would have avoided God’s anger,
Uzzah would still be alive, the ark would have been moved,
and they could have had a celebration.

ACTION:
How are you handling God’s instruction manual? Do you try
to do things on your own without consulting Him? How can
you understand His Word unless you read it often? If you are
someone who doesn’t like to read, then ask the Lord to change
you so that you can (and will) enjoy reading His Word.

When God tells us NOT to do something, He is basically saying
“Don’t hurt yourself”. When He tells us to do something, He is
basically saying, “Enjoy My blessings”. When we have a decision
to make, do we make our own choice, or do we ask the Lord to
show us the ‘right’ choice?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, help me in my efforts to learn from
Your Word, and to live as you would have me to live.
Give me a greater understanding of Your plans and
guidelines for living a life that is pleasing to You, and
that is helpful to others. Create in me an obedient heart
that seeks to know and follow Your directions. Teach me
to be ‘dependent’ on You and not ‘independently’ relying
on myself. Remind me that when I fail to depend on You
I am showing an arrogant pride, which is something You
have told us all that You hate.”

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