King David Series: Bringing Back the Glory

Message 7 February 2016 King David Series # Bringing Back the Glory

Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul." (1 Chronicles 13:2-3)

David established a new capital city in Jerusalem to unite all the tribes. He moved it from Hebron which was associated more with the tribe of Judah. David demonstrated a heart after God by bringing back the long neglected ark of the covenant to the new capital. This move was as deep as bringing the presence of God back. It was as healing as bringing back the glory of God that had departed a generation earlier.  When the ark was captured by the Philistines in 1 Samuel 4:22 Phinehas wife lamented, "The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God was taken." Since then no one had not taken steps to bring the ark back.  Under Saul, worship of the Lord had languished and priests at Nob were all killed except Abiathar (1 Samuel 22:18-19). The glory had departed so much that Saul had to resort to seeking guidance from a witch (1 Samuel 28).  But under David worship was restored and the fear of Philistines was vanquished.

For David bringing back the Ark was a priority after retaking Jerusalem. The ark had been lost a generation before (1 Samuel 4-6). The ark defended itself while with the Philistines. Their big idol dagon was left with a testimony of failing to stand in the ark's presence. They stationed it in Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron, but as long as they kept it, sickness followed (1 Samuel 5). So no Philistine city wanted it. Finally, after seven months, they returned it to Israelite territory on a new cart pulled by two cows. Back in Israel territory it was first at the priestly city of Beth-Shemesh then was moved to the house of Abinadab in the city of Kiriath Jearim (1 Samuel 7:1).

David did not give up. He brought together "the whole assembly of Israel," and won their buy in (1 Chronicles 13: 2-6). They had best intentions but did not do it God’s way at first (1 Samuel 6:7,1 Chronicles 15:13). Without inquiring of the Lord, they used the method of the Philistines of putting the ark on a new cart pulled by two cows. A humiliating experience for David but he did not give up. However the ark stayed at the house of Obed Edom for three months. In the short space of time he and everything he had was so blessed it was noticeable. He made correction by making sure only the levites carried the ark (1 Chronicles 15:2, 3). Also some animal sacrifices were offered ( 1 Samuel 6:12-13).

David brought a new flavor. The way David brought back the Ark from the house of Abinanab signaled the arrival of a new way and flavor of worship in Israel - Dancing before the Lord. On the second time that he succeeded to bring the ark back to Jerusalem. They did so with musical praise,  great rejoicing, shouting and dancing. "He appointed some of the levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel.... They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals, 6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God." (1 Chronicles 16:4-6). The tabernacle of the ark was a tent a structure simpler to the tabernacle of Moses. The process also was simpler characterized by musical praise and worship. This was a fore taste of the dispensation of Christ when the presence of God is associated with the sacrifices of praise not animals (Hebrews 13:5, 2 Samuel 6:17; Acts 15:16).

David danced so much that his wife Michal was ashamed and despised him. When he returned home he came to bless his house (1 Samuel 6:20). People who praise bring back blessings home. She however complained that he had uncovered himself before the slave girls. Understandably much of her life she had known palace decorum, wealth, protocol and class. David explained that it was class that cost Saul his kingship and it was his unrestrained  sheep cote undignified joyful  expression of  love for God that had won him favor with God (6:21). After all his audience in worship was neither his wife nor the slave girls and other people  but before the Lord who chose him and looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).  His example became an eternal lesson on the attitude that will bring the presence of God into a situation. The lesson is an attitude of selfless worship from the heart -- and with hands, feet and all. It is the key to fruitfulness. For despising worship Michal had no children to the day of her death (2 Samuel 6:21-23).

David had carried the presence of God in the ark of praise and worship all his life in the palaces as well as in the wilderness. ‘I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips ( Psalm 34)’ was his motto. David came up with Psalm 34 when he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left. Praise was David’s secret to everything. It was his life strategy. He had just left home was afraid for his life and now the reception before the Philistine king made him feel like he had just jumped from the pan into the fire. This was certainly, not an easy time to praise anyone. But he burst into praise to God. He did it with actions and spilling of saliva as a mad man but through Psalm 34, as well as Psalm 56,  sang his heart out to God as an anointed man. The account in the book of Samuel highlights what he did and leaves out what he said. That we find in the Psalms.  I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will continually be on my mouth (Psalm 34:1). Times are not always favorable and to bless the Lord at all times it means when chips are up and when down. For praise to be continually on the mouth it means there is no room for murmuring, complaining. Or anything else. The mouth is designated and already occupied.

What you praise becomes bigger because by praising you get closer to it. Praise brings God’s throne into the situation and equations of life. He inhabits or enthrones the praises of his people. Praise is the preoccupation in His presence. The book of revelations shows this truth vividly. God is the overwhelming consciousness. When you praise God your perspective is elevated.  You gain a new view of God magnified and the giants you faced dwarfed.   It levels your mountains. Your  lions become amusements at zoo. God's presence is heaven on earth. It is what distinguishes the people of God. The most assuring promise from God is 'i will be with you'. 

Will you bring back the Ark into your life and situation today? Bring back the glory of God. Bring his mighty presence by a heart of worship and joyful praise. Make praise a life style. Be like David who had Psalms for all situations whether they be of homelessness, danger, depression, celebration, hunger, hardships, or other.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

First Floor Dhando House,

66 Eloff Street Extension,

Village Deep,

 Johannesburg,

South Africa