We live in a society of people that are in a hurry and looking for short cuts to reach their goals. Instead of getting the proper amount of rest a body needs, we chug "energy drinks" to keep us going. Rather than eat healthily and exercise to stay fit, we indulge in fast food, calorie-free beverages, and "metabolism enhancers" to help us fit in our jeans. "Saving up" for whatever luxury we long for is a concept relegated to history for far too many of us. The credit card industry has made it attractive and easy to "buy now and pay later." We want what we want, and we want it now, without expending too much hard work and effort. We want to skip the personal sacrifice part of the process.
Sometimes I wonder if we don't allow this assumption of instant gratification to creep into our expectation of experiencing God's presence in our lives. After David became king, he wanted to return the "ark of God" to the children of Israel. As a nation, under the rule of Saul, the people had not given the symbol of God's presence among them much thought. David desired to know God's presence and his blessings. He gathered together the people of Israel to travel to Judah to retrieve the ark. In fact, he had a new cart built to transport it. As the procession celebrated and worshiped before God, one of the men driving the cart put out his hand to steady it. He was killed. God wasn't pleased!
God killing this poor guy seems rather harsh, but David, in his hurry to "get" God's presence and his blessings, tried to short circuit the process God had commanded. In Numbers 4:15, God made clear that anyone who touched any holy thing would die; He described how the ark (Exodus 25:10-22), the testimony of his covenant and presence among his people, was to be transported. This was a big deal! The ark wasn't just any wooden box; it was holy!
David didn't mean to dishonor God; he was in a hurry to do a right thing! But, in his eagerness, he missed a few key steps to entering into the presence of God and receiving his blessings. David had to return to Jerusalem without the ark of God and had to start back at the beginning - preparing himself and the people to be in God's presence.
There is absolutely nothing more awesome than to stand in God's holy presence, to be overwhelmed by who He is! But just as David couldn't go unprepared into the holiness of God, we can't either. We must prepare ourselves. In John 17, Jesus prayed that the Father would sanctify us (make us holy) through his Truth (John 17:17-19). Just as David returned to Jerusalem and got ready to enter the holiness of God, we can too! God wants nothing more than to be among his children.
Lord, we desire to know your presence. This means we have to prepare ourselves to be a dwelling place acceptable for you to live. Please guide us through your Holy Spirit to seek your cleansing and lead us to offer up sacrifices of praise and worship that make you welcome. Please make us holy as you are holy. In your name we ask, Amen.
