9 When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put out his hand to hold and steady the ark, for the oxen [that were drawing the cart] [a]nearly overturned it. 10 The anger of the LORD burned against Uzza, and He struck him down because he touched the ark; and there he died before God.
1 Chronicles 15:12-14
12 and he said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites; consecrate yourselves, both you and your relatives, so that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. 13 Because you did not [carry it as God directed] the first time, the LORD our God made an [angry] outburst against us, for we did not seek Him in accordance with the ordinance.” 14 So the priests and the Levites consecrated (dedicated) themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.
I flipped to 1 Chronicles yesterday and got to this account. Uzza perishing because he touched the Ark of the Covenant. God was clear in Numbers 4 about the Ark should be transported and how to prepare it for a journey. Namely a sect of the Levites were to carry the Ark in a certain way. So, in 15:12-14, David gave the instruction he received from God admitting that they did not follow the procedure. Uzza died for it and when I read this story the first few times, I thought it was harsh. However, God is very clear on his will. He wants what he wants and he knows what is best. This study piggie-backs on the last post about God’s requirements. What’s the difference? That’s a question I asked myself.
Romans 12:2
2 And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be [a]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
In this passage, it seems that the word “will” is used to say that it is what is “good and acceptable and perfect.” The Amplified add more on saying that it is his plan and purpose for us. It says to me that there is a purpose for me here if I stay on tack. It makes me believe that God has plans for me like he says in Isaiah. And I have to stay within his will to reach the point that I need to get to.
1 John 5:13-14
13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God [which represents all that Jesus Christ is and does], so that you will know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have eternal life. 14 This is the [remarkable degree of] confidence which we [as believers are entitled to] have before Him: that [a]if we ask anything according to His will, [that is, consistent with His plan and purpose] He hears us.
If we ask anything according to what God says, he hears us. Preceding that are a couple of statements that say that we can have confidence as believers that we already have eternal life. I think this corresponds to living within the will of God. If we are in his will, we may be able to have a certain peace. So what does the bible say God’s will is?
1 Peter 4:2-10
2 so that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living for human appetites and desires, but [lives] for the will and purpose of God. 3 For the time already past is [more than] enough for doing what the [unsaved] Gentiles like to do—[a]living [unrestrained as you have done] in a course of [shameless] sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries. 4 In [connection with] all this, they [the unbelievers] are resentful and surprised that you do not [think like them, value their values and] run [hand in hand] with them into the same excesses of dissipation and immoral freedom, and they criticize and abuse and ridicule you and make fun of your values. 5 But they will [have to] give an account to Him who is ready to judge and pass sentence on the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the good news [of salvation] was preached [in their lifetimes] even to those who are dead, that though they were judged in the flesh as men are, they may live in the spirit according to [the will and purpose of] God.
7 The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.] 8 Above all, have [b]fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others]. 9 Be [c]hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].
We are to put what is best for others over what is best for ourselves. That goes hand in hand with what I wrote last time. However in this list, there are sins to stay away from. The Amplified adds text that sums up the list. “living unrestrained.” We are supposed to love and also stay pure in living according to his will. At times, this can be hard. Even the strongest man to ever live.
Mark 14:33-36
33 He took Peter and James and John with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and troubled [extremely anguished at the prospect of what was to come]. 34 And He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved and overwhelmed with sorrow, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.” 35 After going a little farther, He fell to the ground [distressed by the weight of His spiritual burden] and began to pray that if it were possible [in the Father’s will], the hour [of suffering and death for the sins of mankind] might pass from Him. 36 He was saying, “[a]Abba, Father! All things are possible for You; take this cup [of judgment] away from Me; but not what I will, but what You will.”
The hardest decision one can make was thrust upon him from birth. He we through his life knowing how it would end and stood firm submitting to God’s will.
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