7.13.12 "Preparing for His Presence"

"Preparing for His Presence"

I Chronicles 15:1-16:36
Romans 1:18-32
Psalm 10:1-15
Proverbs 19:6-7

Some thoughts today on your DLOW. (Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship)

I Chronicles 15 recounts the story of David bringing the Ark of God back to Jerusalem. David calls the high priests together, ordered the Levite leaders to organize the singers into an orchestra, and gathered the whole gang to go to the home of Obed-edom to get the Ark. Verse 28 says, "so the leaders of Israel took the Ark to Jerusalem with shouts of joy, the blowing of horns and trumpets, the crashing of cymbals, and loud playing on the harps and zithers." Sounds like quite an event.

But this isn't the first time David tried to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. In I Chronicles 13, David consults with all his army officers, and decides to invite all the people of israel to get the Ark of God and bring it home. They got it from the house of Abinadab. I Chron. 13:8 says, "then David and all the people danced before the Lord with great enthusiasm, accompanied by singing and by zithers, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets." Another great event. But this first time, something goes wrong. The oxen carrying the cart stumble. Uzza reaches out to steady the cart, and the anger of the Lord burned against him for touching the Ark, and he died.

I Chron. 13:11,12 "David was angry at the Lord for what he had done to Uzza...Now David was afraid of God and asked, 'How shall I ever get the Ark of God home?'"

The Ark of God is a representation of his presence and his power. This story stresses a major theme. The presence of God should not be approached casually. I can picture David & the gang the first time around thinking "Yes! it's all coming together! Let's go get the presence of God!" There was no ill intent, but at the same time, there was no consecration.

The second time, in I Chron. 15:12-15 David instructs the priests, "You are the leaders of the clans of the Levites," he told them. "Now sanctify yourselves with all your brothers so that you may bring the Ark of Jehovah, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. The Lord destroyed us before because we handled the matter improperly -- You were not carrying it." So the priests and the Levites underwent the ceremonies of sanctification in preparation for bringing home the Ark of Jehovah, the God of Israel. Then the Levites carried the Ark on their shoulders with its carrying poles, just as the Lord had instructed Moses."

What's the difference between the two occasions? It's that they were carrying the Ark "just as the Lord had instructed Moses", but also they were prepared.

How do you approach the worship service? Do you come prepared? Do you come casually? I am fully aware that we are under a new covenant. I know Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." But at the same time "we hold this treasure in earthen vessels" (2 Cor 4:7) We have an obligation to prepare our vessel for the presence of God.

We sing, "Come Just As You Are", and there is nothing wrong with that. The problem is when we keep on "coming as we are", and we leave as we were. We don't wait until we're changed. We "mosey in" to his presence, and we casually leave. We are in a relationship with the God of the Universe. He has not changed since the day Uzza touched the cart. The more we get to know Him and His awesome power, the more we need to be in awe of is greatness. Not to develop a fear that separates us from God, but to enter His presence in awesome wonder of who He is. What would the worship experience be like if we prepared for it? Instead of yelling at the family to get into the car because we're late, what if we really took the time to cleanse our hearts and minds of anything that would hinder us from experiencing God.

Just because we've become comfortable in our sin doesn't mean God has. It's his greatest desire to pour out his presence upon us. Many times the junk in our vessel prevents us from experiencing what he ultimately has for us.

Try it this week. Prepare for the worship experience. Prepare for the presence of God. Revisit the "lost art" of consecration. Set up an "environment of Worship" in your heart. See what happens.




Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

Pastor Greg Lathe

Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ