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Topic: Power Of His Presence
[DCLM Daily Manna 29 September 2019 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: 1 Chronicles 13:1-14 (KJV)
1 And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.
2 And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us:
3 And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.
4 And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
5 So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim.
6 And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjathjearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it.
7 And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.
8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.
9 And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.
10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.
11 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day.
12 And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?
13 So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.
14 And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.
Key Verse: “And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul” (1 Chronicles 13:3).
MESSAGE:
The pastor of a fast growing local church was downcast by a sudden depletion and consistent nose-diving of the church’s numerical strength. He could not unravel the mystery until God revealed to him that it was the presence and consistent prayer of an aged widow in the local church that orchestrated its consistent fast growth which dipped after her demise.
David knew that the ark of God symbolised His divine presence and power with His people. Hence, he mobilised the people for a celebrated conveyance of the ark with pomp and pageantry from Kirjathjearim to the city of David. The ark had a shield and refuge in every generation for the Israelites. They were saved in battles by the ark. It was a monumental blessing to the house of Obededom and guide to the children of Israel in the wilderness.
Today, Jesus Christ is the ark of God for the penitent sinner and backslider who repent and come to Him. God’s terrible judgment is looming over the world. Through Christ’s sacrifice, death, burial and resurrection, He has made adequate provision for the salvation and safety of every soul from His final judgment. It is expected of every sinner and backslider who desire the presence, partnership and power of God in their lives to repent now. Likewise, believers are required to remain steadfast in sanctification and service in God’s Vineyard.
- Thought For The Day: Peril abides for the Ark’s despisers.
- The Bible In One Year: Ecclesiastes 8–12
