Warriors Arise: January 26, 2023
1 Chronicles 15:11-13 (NKJV) And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites: for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. 12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. 13 For because you did not do it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.”
Let's take this from another angle. Maybe Zadok and Abiathar didn't know what to do. The ark of the Lord had never been captured before. They had never lost priests in battle. Maybe the Levites felt the Lord had chosen someone else when the ark remained at Abinadab's house. I would think they would have all known about the Philistine's returning the ark. They could have heard about how the Philistines put it on a cart and sent it away, letting God direct where it went. Since the cows didn't take it to them, maybe they thought God had chosen someone else. Maybe they were afraid, because they were as impure or sinful as Eli's sons. So, when the king calls them to take their place, they may have been stunned. They might not have known what to do because they didn't think they would be reinstated to their position. But David realized the error, the first time they moved the ark of the Lord. It was not to be carried on a cart; it was to be carried by the priests and Levites. They were to carry it with poles running through the rings on the sides of the ark. It was to have four Levites carrying it and four replacements.
Zadok
Abiathar
Uriel
Asaiah
Joel
Shemaiah
Eliel
Amminadab
There is a reason David called these 8 men, two of them were priests from the line of Aaron and six of them were heads of the families of Levi. David was reinstating them to their former positions, as given to them by God in the wilderness. The king, the one God had Samuel anoint as king of Israel, called them to take their place and fulfill their purpose, ministering before the God who's presence was above the cherubim on the ark.
How many of us have been derailed from our God-given purpose, because of a catastrophe, devastation or tragedy? We could even blame someone else. They might have blamed Eli's sons. Everyone knew of their sin. It was terrifying news to hear of Eli's sons dying in battle, Eli dying when he heard the news and the ark captured by their enemy. I am guessing fear was running rampant. No one knew what to do. Everyone was in mourning. At some point their was blame and confusion going around.
When the unexpected disaster happens it seems to be human nature to turn away from God rather than toward God. Instead of pursuing God we let go of God. Instead of embracing God's step toward us, we let God stay over there and think if He wanted to come back He would come back on His own. I am referring to no one pursing the ark of the Lord when the Philistines captured it. I am making reference that the priests nor the Levites when to Abinadab's house to retrieve the ark of the Lord, when God had brought Himself back into the land of Israel. God wants to be pursued. He wants us to make Him a priority in our lives. He wants us to want Him involved in our lives. He wants us to cover the distance, to retrieve our relationship with Him and to make Him center of our lives again. He can't do these things for us; we have to pursue Him, rebuild the relationship and give Him centerstage in our life.
When God came back to Israel, He was making Himself available, but they did not pursue Him. What about you? Where are you in your relationship with God? Has there been a travesty that has knocked you out of your purpose in life, your God-given destiny? Has God made Himself available to you, returning within reach of You retrieving what was lost? Have you pursued to restore your relationship with God? Have you brought God back into you life and made Him the center of your life?
David has called these priests and Levites to assess their purpose, calling and heart. He geave them the opportunity to be restored in their relationship with God. He gave them the opportunity to be reinstated in their purpose. He gave them the opportunity to make God their focus.
This is for you. This is also for me. God is calling you and I agree with the calling He has upon our lives. Will you agree to the calling God has upon your life? God is calling you and I to purse Him. Will you pursue Him? God is calling you and I to make Him the focus of our life. Will you make God the focus of your life?
Father, I come before You today seeking forgiveness. I ask for You to forgive me for allowing tragedy and discouragement to deceive me. I thought I was no longer worthy to serve you. I thought You had chosen someone else to take my place. I ask to be forgiven. I will purse You. You did not go away to leave me. You went away to see if I would pursue You. I did not pursue You. I ask to be forgiven for not pursuing You. You came back but not directly to me. I did not go to You and place myself in Your presence. I thought You had chosen someone else to take my place, to fulfill my calling. But my thoughts were lies. That is not it at all. They ministered to You, because I didn't pursue You. You came back into a safe place. I wouldn't have to fight the enemy. I just had to know my calling and humble myself to pursue You. I ask for be forgiven. I allowed myself to be deceived, rather than believe that what You promised cannot be revoked. Your love is amazing and I am thankful for Your redemption, restoration and reinstatement. I will pursue You. I will make You the center of my life. I will fulfill my calling in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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