BRINGING BACK THE ARK (Pt 1)
???..Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we have not inquired at it since the days of Saul??? (1 Chron 13:3)
Our God is a man of war. Several scriptures in the Bible confirm God's nature as Commander in Chief of the heavenly army. No believer can confront and overcome spiritual battles without the presence of God.
David a man of war himself knew all too well of the importance of the presence of God in a believers life.
- The Amplified version says, ???For we did not seek it during the days of Saul???
- The Bible in basic English translation [BAS] says, ???For in the days of Saul we did not go to it for directions???
- The Jerusalem Bible says, ???For in the time of Saul we neglected it???
- The Modern Language Bible: The New Berkeley Version in Modern English says, ???For in the days of Saul we have not had concern for it???
KING DAVID was a man after God???s own heart. He was a worshipper, a friend of God???s and a man who valued the presence of God.
He knew a nation without direction had no hope of survival. The fate of such a nation was apostasy as we knew of Israel in the Old Testament whenever the nation sought to worship other gods in rebellion and rejection of Yahweh.
David was anointed King over Israel after Saul disobeyed the Lord???s command. He was chosen by God Himself,
???For I have provided Myself a king??? (1 Sam 16:1).
Although David was anointed King (1 Sam 16:12-13) after Saul who was the first King of Israel after the era of the judges (1 Sam 9:27, 10:1), it was not for several years before he could ascend the throne of Israel. Saul???s jealous tantrums led him to seek David???s destruction.
Not once did David take advantage of the opportunities he had to kill Saul who was after his life (1 Sam 24:6, 26:11). To David, Saul was still God???s anointed as long as he remained alive.
WHEN GOD GOES AHEAD
???Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men, If it is possible as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men???. Roms 12:17-18
Today, we are still required to display David???s attitude in matters concerning people in leadership positions over us. They are God???s anointed who must be judged by God alone or others in leadership over them. Ours is to pray for our leaders.
GOING WITHOUT GOD'S PRESENCE
Saul???s disobedience:
Saul was guilty of 8 counts of disobedience
1. 1 Sam 15:3 - Rebellion ???Now go and attack Amalek and utterly destroy all that they have???.
2. 1 Sam 15:9 - Greed, ???But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good and were unwilling to utterly destroy them???.
3. 1 Sam 15:13- Deception, ???I have performed the commandment of the Lord???.
4. 1 Sam 15:13 - Bribery, ???For the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord, your God???.
5. 1 Sam 15: 23 - Witchcraft, ???For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft???.
6. 1 Sam 15:23 - Stubbornness, ???And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry???.
7. 1 Sam 15:23 - Rejecting prophecy, ???Because you have rejected the word of the Lord???.
8. 1Sam 15:24 - Fear of man, ???Because I have feared the people and obeyed their voice???.
These 8 offences are still being committed today by believers in Christ Jesus but the message today is ???It???s time to bring back the Ark???. There is a new way the Lord is calling the church, His bride, for the days ahead are evil.
WHEN THE GLORY OF GOD DEPARTED:
The glory (presence of the Lord) departed from Saul, and instead a ???distressing spirit??? from the Lord troubled him (1 Sam 16:14). The distressing spirit was a sign of judgement on Saul. David, now the man with the presence of the Lord was the man recommended to attend to Saul, and to bring a soothing presence to the torment of life without the presence of God.
5 ways to harbour God???s presence:
You must:
1. Prepare a place for His glory
2. Hunger after His Presence
3. Desire His Presence
4. Be led by His Presence
5. Be carriers of His Presence
Obii Pax-Harry
9th July 2005
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