Carriers of His Presence

Carriers Of His Presence

And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab; and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. 1Chronicles 13:7.

In chapters 13 and 15 of 1Chronicles we read the account of David bringing the ark to Jerusalem. The first attempt failed as the oxen stumbled and when Uzza put out his hand to steady the ark, he was struck down by the Lord. David was displeased and left the ark in the house of Obed-edom. And the Lord blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had. I Chronicles 13:14 In type the ark represented the presence and glory of God. The house of Obed-edom was blessed by the presence of the Lord. If we are to experience blessing in our homes today, we need the presence of the Lord. In His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalms 16:11
In chapter 15 David makes the second attempt, but this time he chooses to follow God's order. The Levites were to carry the ark on their shoulders according to God's pattern. The Levites sanctified themselves in preparation for bringing up the ark. They carried the ark upon their shoulders with staves as Moses commanded according to the word of the Lord. They went six paces and made sacrifice according to 2 Samuel 6:7. The ark was then brought to Mount Zion where it was set in place in David's Tabernacle.

What is the application for us today? The new cart is man's attempt to usher in God's presence man's way. God has a lot to say about man's ways. When they built an altar they were not to set a chisel to the stone. Israel saw the signs, but they did not know His ways. Moses knew His ways. Our motivation may be good. There was nothing wrong with David's motivation on the first attempt, but it was not according to God's order. There are many people in the body of Christ who have good intentions, but they are out of order. I believe that denominationalism was birthed out of people who wanted to do good, but had the wrong order. If we attempt to usher in the presence of God using the patterns of man we have simply put the ark on a new cart. We often devise our plan and ask God to bless it rather than finding out what God is doing. Like Henry Blackaby says we need to find out what God is doing and get in on that. God blesses what He is doing.
We see David get angry with God on the first attempt when Uzza was killed. We often hear in our day and time when catastrophes happen, "Why did God let that happen?" or "Why did God do that?" For example, when 9/11 took place we heard those questions. Some said that it's the judgement of God. I believe this way; God is under no obligation to protect that which is not committed to Him. He often does and that is because of His great mercy. In fact 9/11 was the result of religion which I define as man's attempt to find God man's way. Isn't interesting that when the rebellious sons of Eli saw the battle was being lost they went and got the ark hoping it would turn the tide of the battle, but it did not.

The ark was to be carried upon the sanctified shoulders of the Levites. Sanctified means holy, set apart unto. It's no coincidence that they went six paces and they made a sacrifice. Six is the number of man. A sacrifice requires death. I believe this was signifying death to self. It is only when we have died that we can experience the presence of God. It was only at that place of self-surrender that I experienced His presence. We are to be those sanctified priests who carry the presence of God.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father. Revelation 1:5b,6

We have received the Holy Spirit of God to be with us, in us, and upon us.
John 14:17b But you know Him; for He dwelleth with you and shall be in you.
Acts 1:8a But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you.
Every where we go the Holy Spirit goes. If we understand that the kingdom of God is in the Spirit then we understand why Jesus said that the kingdom of God was within and that when He or His disciples went out to minister, the kingdom of God had come near. We are called to be carriers of His presence.

We are entering a season where we are being stripped of those things we have trusted in. The methods of man will ultimately fail. The shaking of things which are not kingdom must fall away that we might depend wholly on the great Agent of the kingdom, the Holy Spirit. God is looking for holy people, not committed to man made devices and forms of religion, but wholly committed unto Him.

My friend if you are born again and filled with the Spirit of the living God you are a Carrier of His Presence and wherever you walk in the Spirit the kingdom of God has come near. If we understand Who it is that is in us, we can make a difference in this world.

Blessings,
Herb Dean