DAY ONE: FEAR OF GOD

There’s a story in 2 Samuel 6 that has always fascinated me. The scene is one of noisy celebration, vivid with imagery, the characters well intentioned, when a slight accident and seemingly innocent reaction leads to tragedy.

The “ark of God” was a golden chest in which the tablets of Moses were kept and functioned as a symbol of God’s Presence with Israel. The ark had been on quite a journey (which included being captured by Israel’s enemies for a time) but was finally being brought to Jerusalem by King David. It was a time of great celebration and the 30,000 strong crowds rejoiced musically and noisily as they accompanied the ark from Abinadab’s home in the direction of Jerusalem.

But there was a problem. The ark was supposed to be carried by specific people in a specific way. It was Levites who were charged with carrying the ark, and only then by holding poles that were inserted into rings at the sides – it was never to be touched. But on this day, the ark is on a cart drawn by oxen being guided by the sons of Abinadab (a non-Levite, as far as we know). With all the good intent in the world, God’s instructions hadn’t been heeded.

Near the threshing floor of Nakon, the oxen stumble and tragedy strikes. As the cart wobbles, Abinadab’s son Uzzah reaches out and takes hold of the ark – the untouchable – to steady it and is struck dead then and there.

God is not any less holy now than He was when this scene in 2 Samuel 6 played out. The preciousness of His presence, the weight and worth of His glory are unchanging. The Holiness of His presence is unwearied by time, undiluted, and uncompromised. But through Jesus, the difference is, our ACCESS has changed. At the exact moment Christ died on the cross, the curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom signifying the access that any who trust in Him for salvation now have to the very presence of God. We who have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God can now be reconciled to Him and are invited to approach the throne of grace with confidence even as we work out our salvation with “fear and trembling” (Rom 3:23, Heb 4:16, Phil 2:12).

To fear the Lord simply means that we refuse to grow familiar with His holiness. We won’t cheapen in our own minds what it cost the Lord to reconcile us to the relationship we were born for. The fear of the Lord actually gives us more intimacy with Him, not less. Psalm 25:14 (ESV) says, “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant.” The fear of the Lord brings not only friendship with Him but also wisdom, understanding, refuge, life and a sure foundation for our times.

So Lord Jesus, help us to live and walk closely with you, in the fear of the Lord. Amen.