Reflection on 2 Samuel 6:1-23
Scripture
David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments- lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals.
Observation
David goes to bring back the Ark of the Lord and to locate it in Jerusalem. They place the Ark on a new cart, and then David and the people dance and sing before the Lord as they make their journey.
But the oxen stumble, and Uzzah reaches out to steady the Ark. The Lord strikes him down. The Ark is then left at the home of Obed-Edom.
After three months it becomes known that the Lord is blessing Obed-Edom because of the Ark, so David decides to complete its return to Jerusalem. Again there is much celebration, but this time David heeds the commandments of the Lord about how the Ark is to be carried.
As David dances with abandon, his wife Michal, Saul’s daughter, is disgusted by his lack of dignity. As a result she remains barren for her whole life.
Application
It is good to celebrate God in our worship. Worship should always be a celebration of God’s grace. The more instruments, the more singers, the more participants, the better. Let us sing and dance to the Lord as often as we can.
However, worship must be holy. When worship lacks integrity or becomes self-seeking, it can become dangerous. In this passage, David failed to observe God’s rules for moving the Ark, and a man died as a result.
This is not to say that worship should be legalistic and overrun with rules and traditions. We do need to make sure that individually and corporately we are living lives that honour the Lord before we pick up an instrument.
Then we can boldly come into the presence of the Most High God and rejoice in Him.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for the opportunity to worship you. May we always be mindful of your eternal holiness as well as your unfailing love so that we worship you in Spirit and in truth. Amen.
Today’s Bible Verse
A Long Way On My Bike
According to Map My Ride, I have now completed 600 rides in the last 4 years and 8 months. There are also a few that didn’t get saved.
The distance of 14265 km is roughly equivalent to riding from Sydney to Perth and back again- twice. Further than Narrabri to Calgary (13000 km) but not quite as far as Narrabri to London- much drier than either, as I haven’t had to ride under water.
The energy I have burnt off is equivalent to 1186 Big Macs- that works out to 2 Big Macs per ride!
I never set out to ride a big distance, just to keep fit and have fun a few days a week. All of which shows that putting in a little effort every day adds up to big results.
Today’s Bible Verse
Today’s Sermon
Today’s Bible Verse
Today’s Bible Verse
Today’s Bible Verse
Reflection on 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Scripture
So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me.
Observation
In order to counter the claims of the false “super-apostles” that were opposing him, Paul speaks of an experience he had. On one occasion he was taken up to the highest heaven. The experience was so powerful that he is not sure whether it was a vision or a physical journey to heaven. In this experience the Lord showed him mysteries that are too sacred to express.
Paul doesn’t boast about the revelations he has received and doesn’t regard them as a reason for people to respect him. To keep him humble, the Lord permitted a thorn int the flesh, a messenger from satan.
He asked the Lord to remove this thing, but the Lord replied, “My grace is more than enough for you, and my grace is made strong in your weakness.”
Application
Our culture worships the strong and powerful people- the top athletes, rulers and business people. Church culture is no different, glamorising the “man of God”, the gifted preacher, and the healer.
But Paul of all people shows us a different way. He has the most powerful experience of heaven which today would put him on the book and movie top sellers lists. But he tells us that what he saw was too sacred to talk about.
Not only this, he is given a “thorn in the flesh” to keep him humble. We don’t know exactly what this was, but it was some kind of messenger from satan that served to keep him focused on the mighty power of Christ in him.
So he says, “I will celebrate my weaknesses.” To the world this is crazy. Everyone needs to be strong, powerful, and effective.
To celebrate my weaknesses means I have to rely on God. It is an acknowledgement that by myself I can do nothing, but in Christ I can do all things.
We can be tempted to rejoice in our own strengths, talents, and activity. That way leads to p[ride and arrogance.
The way to growth in the Holy Spirit is to celebrate our weakness, and push into God relying on His grace to achieve His goals.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to celebrate my weaknesses and to trust only in your strength. Amen.
