Leadership Longevity
To read more in my series of reflections on 2 Samuel 6:;1-18, click here and here.
David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, “How will the Ark of the Lord ever come to me?”
2 Samuel 6:10
When the day started, David was full of hope. After a long road of battle and loss, grief and sorrow, he was finally taking his place as king in Jerusalem. But he wanted his reign to be religious as well as political. So he gathered 30,000 of the best men of Israel and showed up at the house of Abinadab to collect the ark. With much celebration, the king would take it into Jerusalem.
In his zeal for the Lord, David overlooked the Lord’s holiness. David, the beloved of the Lord, the one who ran out in front of armies against a giant while shouting the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, made a grave mistake.
Instead of carefully following the Lord’s specific instructions, David had a lovely new cart built for the ark. It would be pulled by strong oxen into the city. At least that was the exuberant king’s plan.
It is notable that in David’s famous debut with Goliath, he declared God’s might and power, but not His holiness. Maybe he did not quite understand God’s holiness yet. Perhaps he had not encountered it up close.
Even God’s chosen leaders can overlook His holiness. Maybe they do not understand it. Perhaps they have not yet encountered it up close. But the lesson comes for all who the Lord appoints for leadership.
What happened next certainly taught David about God’s holiness. Although he could not see it at first, it was the first step toward understanding what it meant to be entrusted with the holy appointment of leadership.
God will not allow even his beloved to dictate His blessings and presence. His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. We must look to Him in all things.
It is possible to worship God and yet be ignorant of His holiness. King David and all the house of Israel approached the city celebrating, singing, and playing instruments before the Lord. Then something happened that stopped the worshippers in their tracks.
When they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and grabbed hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The LORD was so furious with Uzzah, he killed him on the spot for his negligence. He died right there beside the ark of God.
v. 6-7
Leadership in the kingdom of God cannot be on our terms.
David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, “How will the Ark of the Lord ever come to me?”
2 Samuel 6:10
After witnessing Uzzah’s death, David was afraid of the Lord. Holiness had proved terrifying, so David decided to hide from holiness for a while. The king went on his way without God’s presence and entered Jerusalem with the people of Israel.
The ark remained in the home of Obed-Edom, a Levite, singer, and gatekeeper. In the three months that followed the Lord blessed Obed-Edom, his family, and everything he owned.
What a contrast between one who circumvents God’s holiness and one who welcomes it.
Leadership is daunting. It can be done with God’s presence, or without. The strength of one’s gifts may carry them forward with success for a time. David was a mighty worshipper, warrior, and poet. Yet without God’s presence, he lacked an essential element of leadership longevity.
Something was happening in Obed-Edom’s home and the news traveled all the way to the king’s palace. Joy was spreading unbound.
Joy is the secret to #leadership longevity. #joy Share on XKing David was told, “The LORD has blessed the family of Obed-Edom and everything he owns because of the ark of God.” So David went and joyfully brought the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David.
2 Samuel 6:22
David would one day write this mikhtam, a poem thought to be intended to write memorable thoughts:
In your presence is fullness of joy.
Psalm 16:11
Joy is magnetic. Upon hearing of the joy in the house of Obed-Edom, David had the ark brought to Jerusalem the right way, right away. He led the people once again in worship and celebration, but this time he led as God led him, and the result was exponential joy.
Those who carried the ark of the LORD took six steps and then David sacrificed an ox and a fatling calf. Now David, wearing a linen ephod, was dancing with all his strength before the LORD. David and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD, shouting and blowing trumpets.
2 Samuel 6:13-15
Let us understand the relationship between #holiness and #joy. May we look to the Lord and do all He asks, His way. Share on X
May we not leave God’s presence behind. And in His presence, joy has no limit, and therefore strength has no limit, and the Lord Himself will be enough for all we are sent to do in His name.
Lord, help me choose holiness in my leadership and fill me with joy in Your presence. Amen.
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