“Again David gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the Lord of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. 3 So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. 4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill, accompanying the ark of God; and Ahio went before the ark 5 Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the Lord on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals.6 And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7 Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God. 8 And David became angry because of the Lord’s outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day.” 2 Samuel 6: 1-8 NKJV
“The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months. And the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his household.” 2 Samuel 6:11 NKJV
God with us,
David is now King of all the Israelite tribes, has retaken Jerusalem and his heart’s desire is to see the Ark, the symbol of Your presence, back with them. A right motive but wrong delivery. They tried humanly speaking to do the right thing. Worship and sacrifice. Tick, tick. But they forgot obedience and respect and honour. The Ark was not to be manhandled like any old icon. It had gold hoops for carrying poles. To be carried on shoulders and feel the weight of responsibility. David was angry? Because he realised he was ultimately responsible for the mistake so Uzzah died? Or angry at the lacking levites?
Today is the time between Jesus death and resurrection. It is believed that Jesus was crucified on Thursday evening which was the start of the Jewish day (sunset to sunset). He was in the tomb three nights Thursday Friday and Saturday. Like David and the Israelites, Jesus disciples were left in limbo not knowing what to do next. David had to wait three months to try again. The disciples only three long days. Those who have experienced grief know how long days can seem.
David and the Levites learned from their mistake. The disciples learned God would be with them forever. And as we wait, with You God, we are ready, waiting, to celebrate what You did that first Easter resurrection day. Horrified at Your Son’s death but tingling with the excitement of Your victory. Not an Ark in the centre of the city but Your presence in our hearts. And we must remember to give You honour and respect as well as worship and sacrifice.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 4th April 2026
This just seems to fit with a quiet thoughtful Saturday.
I did not see the heavens part
No angel stirred within my heart
Yet still I knew the way was shown
To walk with Him and Him alone
In the quiet of His will I found my place
No sudden voice no hurried pace
Just morning by morning word upon word
Each step I took His presence stirred
I was not called to stand and lead
Yet He was near in every need
No crowd to cheer no music played
But I was held where footsteps stayed
In the quiet of His will I found my place
No sudden voice no hurried pace
Just morning by morning word upon word
Each step I took His presence stirred
And when the world ran far ahead
He gently walked where I was led
He did not rush He did not drive
He stayed with me and kept me alive
In the quiet of His will I lived each day
With settled peace that did not sway
No grand display no claim of mine
But joy to know His path was mine
Lyrics: Richard West