Seek God!

Seek God!

1 Chronicles 16:11 AMP

[11] Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence].

Israel had done something wrong. They had the ark of the covenant of God upon carts, which was contrary to God's express directive on how the ark of covenant was to be carried. It is not a surprise that Uzzah, who was not a priest, touched the ark of covenant, and he was killed by God. The oxen carrying the ark actually stumbled, yet God did not spare the man who touched the ark. God's standards are sacrosanct; He will not lower them for anyone, no matter who you are or what you have achieved for Him. Ask Moses or even the man who wrote the words of the verse above, who is David. When David did wrong, even though God Himself testified that he was a man after His heart, God still punished him for the wrong he did. We learn today not to take God for granted. We strive to know Him as well as what He loves and hates, so that we can please Him. 

David also learnt this the hard way. It took the death of Uzzah for David to do the right thing. He knew the ark of the covenant of God was not to be treated carelessly, and that specific people were mandated by God to offer service in relation to the ark. David then took firm steps to ensure that those who should be there were appointed to serve and minister. He even built a tent for the ark, as it was the case in the wilderness. I reflect on this, and note that I cannot treat the work of God with levity, neither can I afford to be complacent with His standards. Men were put in place to offer service, with David leading by personal example. What corrective steps do I need to take today, in order to align with God's clear instruction? What changes do I need to make in order to make my life, and all I offer, acceptable to God? 

The counsel in the verse above is to 'seek God'. This counsel will not work unless the benefits make the effort worth it. David knew the value of the presence of God, just as Moses, Elijah and many others did. There is strength, grace, help, provision, protection, and sustenance, amongst many other things, that are made available to me, when I am connected to God. In God's presence, there is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. He is never late or too tired to attend to our requests, as He is not man who is bound by human limitations, and there is no searching of His understanding. Before eternity began and long after this earthly phase will cease to exist, God will continue to be God, and no one can unseat or dethrone Him. This is the God that men like David knew and followed, and we still talk about them today. Do not let the weight of the worries and cares of this world keep you away from the benefits and blessings that come from this God. He waits for us. God's time of favour is here.