Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 5:6-8, 11-12; 2 Samuel 6:1-5; 2 Samuel 22; 1 Chronicles 11:6-9; 1 Chronicles 13:1-14; 1 Chronicles 14:8-17; Psalm 18

Easter Saturday, and the reading today starts with the capture of the royal city – Jerusalem! Joab does this for David, and then David is able to build a place for himself within the fortress and the rest of Jerusalem is restored. But there is one thing for which David longs. It is to have the ark of the Lord near to himself! In the same way, I enjoy the fact that we can come together on Sunday in the authority of His Name, and know that He has promised to be with us!

But to accomplish bring back the ark is not so simple! He asked for advice from his army officers and commanders. It is good to do things together and have unity, but I’m not sure whether the priests would not have been the ones who were better qualified to know God’s will. Not asking for God’s guidance, causes a serious situation to arise! There is great rejoicing at bringing the ark closer to Jerusalem, but Uzzah who thought he should protect the ark, dies for touching the ark! I’m sure I can understand David and maybe others’ opinions that maybe God was being too strict about His protection of the ark and who was allowed to touch it. I sometimes wish for God, my Father to lower His standard of holiness and familiarity with things concerning Himself! But although God is a loving and forgiving God, He deserves our deepest respect!

And aren’t the enemy, the Philistines, just like my great enemy, who jumps at the opportunity to attack when I am discouraged or at a distance from God in my relationship! But fortunately, David knows what to do and asks the Lord for direction. Nor does David presume to know God’s will the second time, just because He got the victory the first time! I trust I will be as sensitive to the issue of being always close enough to ask for direction from God, my Father! But God’s directions are rather strange! What on earth did the sound of marching in the tops of balsam trees have to do with going into battle at the right time? NOTHING! Except it sure proved that David was willing for God to have His position of top commander of the army and call at just the right time for the attack on the enemy! As a result, victory was assured! So Proverbs whispers in my ear that I am to trust the Lord with ALL my heart, and not lean to my own understanding, but to acknowledge Him in all my ways, and then He promises that He will guide me.” – Prov. 4:5-6.

I leave you to enjoy Psalm 18. I love the expression in verse 46

The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock!
Exalted be God my Saviour!

and again in verse 30

As for God, His way is perfect;
the word of the Lord is flawless
He is a shield
for all who take refuge in Him.
For who is God besides the LORD?
And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength,
and makes my way perfect.