From Fear to Joy

2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalms 68; Matthew 17 

“David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, ‘How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?’…Now King David was told, ‘The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God. So David went down and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing.”

2 Samuel 6:9, 12

Why was David afraid of God at the time of the death of Uzzah?

David at that time believed Uzzah’s death was God’s fault. Yet, David had failed to inquire of the Lord how to transport the ark of God. When we ignore God’s ways and yet blame him for the consequences, we, too, are not wise. Once David learned of God’s blessing on the household of Obed-Edom, and how to transport the ark in the prescribed way by priests carrying the ark, not animals and a cart, David rejoiced. There is joy when we welcome the presence of God into our lives, homes, and community, and live within his ways. Fear is replaced by joy when we understand that God’s heart is to bless us if we, like David, will live in covenant with God.

“Lord Jesus, your death and atonement paid the price for God’s wrath against my sin so I, too, can rejoice, for your glory.”