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Today is Tuesday April 13, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of II Samuel, chapters 6-9. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this URL onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-april-13

Title: Bible Study: Presence of God
As Christian's we can rejoice in the fact that we are a part of the kingdom of God and whether we are healthy, wealthy, poor, lame, or blind, we are like one of His sons. Praise God! Each day that goes by, as long as we are in the will of God, He guides us and strengthens our faith in Him. However, no matter how strong in our faith we are, we can become afraid of some of the things God does to get our attention. While we may never understand some of the things written in the Bible, much of our faith and guidance comes from the Word of God. It is important that we read all of it, Old and New Testament, because it all contains important information that keeps guiding us, correcting us, and bringing us in the presence of God.

David, was now ruler of all the United Kingdom, he owed all his success to God and did not hesitate to acknowledge that and tell others as well. He lacked one thing though, he did not have the Word of God with him so he was unaware of some of the laws and commands of God. So, to his surprise he saw first hand just how angry God can get when one does not follow His commands. David, along with thirty thousand men, went up to get the Ark of God, “And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart....And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.” - II Samuel 6:2,3,5-7. Here they are, just dancing and singing in the streets and all of a sudden, attempting to keep the Ark from toppling off the cart Uzzah touched it and died instantly. David was sincerely seeking to honor God, but he overlooked two very important instructions involving the transport of the Ark. The Ark had to be carried by poles on the shoulders of the priests, and the penalty for touching the Ark was death. “And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.” - Numbers 1:51. Had David learned of God's instructions he would have known that the Ark could not have been touched by anyone. It's important to know all of God's Word so we know the dangers that are before us, it's like a person who accidentally touches a high voltage wire and gets shocked to death because he did not read the danger sign.

David was humiliated, displeased, and afraid of God that day. He then humbly prayed to God and asked Him what they needed to do to get the Ark to Jerusalem. “And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day. And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me? So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.” - II Samuel 6:8-11. All are blessed when they are in the presence of the Lord.

Many people want to enjoy the presence of God, but they are unwilling to do what is needed to receive His presence. Today, the only way to enjoy the presence of God is by accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior. All true greatness is dependent upon being humble and seeking to know what God truly wants. We all make mistakes, but we can correct them by humbly going before the Lord and seeking His forgiveness and instructions. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9.

If we want all of God's blessings we need to know all of God's Word, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” - II Timothy 3:16,17. As we read God's Word we learn a little more each time, the more we learn, the more we grow, the more we feel the presence of God.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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