He felt his heart leap into his throat. He was on his feet quicker then a rattlesnake was on it's prey. He ran into the main room, frantically looking for his son.
His son was standing in front of the window. He breathed a sigh of relief, and scooped the little boy up into his arms. He hugged him tightly for a few minutes before he realized that his son was talking again.
"Abba," the anxious child squirmed in his arms. "Look!" He pointed his chubby finger out the window.
He turned and looked outside the window. Coming down the road, straight towards them was a large processional. Soldiers, musicians, a cart being pulled by oxen, and...King David.
"Stay in here." He set his son down, and went outside to greet the group. He gasped when he saw what was on the cart.
Yahweh's Ark. The Ark of the covenant.
The group was finally close enough to speak with freely, "Hello. May I be of service to his Majesty, the King?"
King David nodded at him. The king had a slump to his shoulders, and his eyes looked flat. "Indeed. Is this the homestead of Obed-Edom?"
"Yes, my King. How may your servant assist you?" He bowed before King David, but the king's next statement straightened his spine rather quickly.
"The Ark of the Lord is required to stay with you, Obed-Edom."
Men began preparing to move the Ark very carefully, and sliding the poles through the golden rings, they grabbed the very ends of the poles, and lifted the Ark. He gaped open-mouthed. He didn't even know what to say.
"Yes, my King."
But apparently his mouth would be speaking its own words.
"Good." King David nodded at him once more, the turned his horse to go. He rode slowly, so that the others would catch up in time.
Another man approached him. Looking around, the man leaned close enough to whisper, "Don't let anyone touch it. Killed a man earlier who was only trying to steady it on the cart."
Obed-Edom gulped.
The Ark of the Lord.
Here.
In his house.
The men carried the Ark past him, into the house. He trailed behind them, still feeling dazed. They waited in the main room for him to direct where the Ark should go.
"Abba?" His son was still in the main room! The little boy reached towards the Ark in wonder....
"Grab the boy!" A nearby soldier yelled frantically. Obed-Edom grabbed his son before he touched the Ark. The angry solder marched right up to them. "Don't let anyone touch that thing. It's cursed."
The soldier's words struck a cord. He felt his anger boil. "Please bring the Ark into that room." He motioned to his left. "Then leave immediately. I will not have anyone calling the Lord's Ark cursed. The Lord brought the Ark to my house. I will take care of it according to Yahweh's will."
Based on 2 Samuel 6:10
How would you feel if out of nowhere, King David showed up at your house, and gave you the Ark of God to look over for awhile? Oh, and by the way, someone touched it earlier, and dropped dead on the spot. Still want it?
If I had been Obed-Edom's wife, I probably would have freaked out! "You let them leave that here? Why would you do that? We have kids! What if one of them touches it? What on earth is wrong with you?" I would have been worried and stressed about the situation. I would have been panicked. Guys, I wouldn't really have wanted the Ark in my house.
Do we see traces of any of that in Scripture?
"And the ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his household." 2 Samuel 6:11
Obed-Edom took the Ark of God into his home under scary circumstances. The poor guy probably got a bashing for it, too. But his heart was right. His heart was pure. He wanted to serve God. So he took the Ark into this home, and he served God that way. By giving the Ark a home, when no one else wanted it. When all the other servants of the Lord abandoned their duty.
This is going to mean something different to every person out there, but you need to understand, that other people are going to drop their carefully held pieces due to trials. Who among God's people will be willing to pick up those pieces? What about when it's scary? Uncertain? Difficult? Inconvenient? Who will be brave enough to serve the Lord, whatever way they can?
"O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. But you, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. I lay down and slept; I woke again for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around." Psalm 3:1-6
Everyone else was afraid! Everyone else thought Obed-Edom was a fool! Everyone one else thought there was no help whatsoever from God.
Sound familiar?
Question is, who are we? Are we like Obed-Edom, unafraid, willing to serve God any way we can? Or are we like the ones who dumped the Ark and ran?
V.Joy Palmer
Check out http://snackpackdevotionsforkidz.blogspot.com
Following us on Facebook or Twitter options are now available!
No comments:
Post a Comment