Ready the Remnant

For a couple of weeks now, the story of Uzza has been on my mind. In 1 Chronicles 13, we read about how David was ready to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. He goes to Kirjath Jearim, puts the Ark on a brand new cart driven by oxen, and heads off down the road to Jerusalem while playing music.

The procession reaches the threshing floor of Chidon and the oxen stumble on the road. In an act of good intention, Uzza puts his hand against the Ark to keep it from falling off the cart or moving. Within mere seconds, the Lord strikes Uzza dead. Why? It is something that many people, including myself, have pondered when reading this passage. Even King David angrily asked the Lord why, and Scripture says that he became afraid of the Lord - refusing to carry the Ark into Jerusalem at that time.

Instead, David commanded the household of Obed-Edom which was nearby, to house the Ark of the Covenant. I imagine they were scared too, having probably witnessed the events of the procession depending on how close they were. However, did Obed-Edom refuse King David? No, he didn't. He might have been just as afraid, but he trusted in the Lord to not also strike his household down. I don't know, I have no idea what was going on in his head or heart. Regardless, because he was willing to house the Ark of the Lord, the Lord blessed him immensely.

I think once David saw the Lord blessing Obed-Edom's household rather than punishing it, he gained up the courage and dedication to the Lord to continue on with his heart's desire: to make a dwelling place for the LORD in Jerusalem. After reading this account however, we still haven't gotten an answer to our question of why did the Lord strike Uzza for doing something so innocent? I asked the Lord if He would help me understand. Just a day or two later, I did.

"For because you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order." - 1 Chronicles 15:13

In 1 Chronicles 15:13, King David himself, gave the answer. It wasn't the answer to Uzza's demise per se, but it was the answer. In short, it was because David did not seek the Lord prior to getting the Ark. David went about the Ark's transport in the wrong order. What he thought was being done properly, was in fact dishonorable to the LORD, and Uzza's death was the example, the message from the Lord confirming it. How was it dishonorable?

First, when the LORD gave to Moses and Aaron all of the rules, regulations, and orders concerning the Tabernacle, the priests, and even the Ark of the Covenant - He was very firm and clear about how the Ark was to be moved (Numbers 4). Rule number one was that it was to never be touched, period. Rule number two, it was to be moved by inserting the specially made poles into the rings and then carried by priests, after it had been covered. By putting the Ark on an ox-pulled cart, exposed, David was violating the rule of how to carry the Ark. Instead of consecrated and anointed priests of the LORD, it was lowly cattle. Instead of being born on their shoulders, it was put on a wooden cart, not even a decorated or gilded cart, but probably just a plain cart - albeit a new one, but a plain cart none-the-less. Instead of being covered with the special coverings, it was exposed. 

If they had born the Ark on their shoulders, could there have ever even been the need to steady it with the physical fleshly hand? No, because there would have been enough priests steadying and holding it up. Thus, Uzza's death was because of David's mistake in not going to the Lord to be reminded of the proper ways of transport. The Ark is also a very holy thing, being the seat of God when His presence is there with His people Israel. Uzza was not wrong in what he did per se (his intentions were innocent after all), however he touched what was most holy - resulting in the consequence God had already warned Moses and Aaron about. 

Ultimately, his death was a consequence of David's neglect. Why did no one tell David that he needed to seek the Lord about it first? I don't know. Where was the high priest? I don't know. The whole thing leaves me scratching my head because it could have all been avoided if only David had sought the Lord first. 

So what does this story have to do with readying the Remnant? First, it shows us that no matter what our good intentions, no matter what our plans or goals, we have to seek the Lord in all things and be obedient to Him. When we seek Him first, we are showing the Lord that we want to do things His way and not ours. When we seek Him first, we are already acting in humble submission to Him. Yes, if you are like me, who may be gifted in planning/organization, it is incredibly tempting to do things our own way first. But, when we do that, we are operating in pride. Oh, does the Lord still have a lot of pride to remove from my heart! 

Seeking the Lord in all things is a recurring message that I have been trying to get out to the Church for the past few years. It seems like our culture today is as misplaced with our "seeking" as ever. Too many seek man, our own intellect, traditions, etc... instead of the Lord. When you get sick, do you immediately pray to the Lord and seek Him to find the cause, treatment, and/or healing? Or do you go straight to the doctor without seeking the LORD? When facing a big decision, do you seek the Lord in prayer and with fasting as to know what to do? Or do you immediately see how and what you can do about it? 

Just like with transporting the Ark of the Covenant, the Lord created an order on how to do things. And the order in our lives should always start with seeking the Lord first. Seeking the Lord does not mean ignoring your situation and waiting in blind faith. No, sometimes He leads you to go here or there to get your answer. Sometimes, He makes you wait because only time can reveal. And even yet sometimes, He will answer or reveal immediately. The point is to seek the Lord, trust in Him, and wait on Him. But one thing you should always remember: the LORD will never tell you to sin nor will He ever contradict His Word.

I've had to do a lot of waiting honestly. Me in my impatience, can't stand it, but when I wait upon the Lord, I am so satisfied and filled by His wisdom, His goodness, and His righteousness. It's when I don't wait on Him, when I don't seek Him first, that I run into trouble - just like with King David and his wrongful order of things.

When I ponder the phrase "ready the remnant", I immediately think of prepping. You know, MRE food storage, survival skills, homesteading, bug-out bags.....prepping. And though it is important to start preparing for the days when we can no longer buy things or make money, when we won't have access to utilities, and even when we must run and hide.....that's not what the LORD is putting on my heart to have the Church focus on right now.

He wants you to seek HIM! Seek Him with humble, repentant hearts, Church! Yes, He is separating the wheat from the tares, the sheep from the goats. Yes, He is refining each of us personally. Yes, prophecy is being fulfilled before our very eyes, the mark of the Beast is rapidly developing at breakneck speed, and there are many who are being watched as potentially being the AntiChrist.  But, we are first being called to seek the LORD like never before. If we seek Him, He will answer. He is wanting each of us to seek Him in prayer and with fasting (He will tell you the how long and what from), so that He can tell us the proper order of how to prepare, how to be ready. 

He may tell you to prepare physically in a specific manner. He may tell you to prepare spiritually, but not physically. He may tell you to prepare both physically and spiritually. He may tell some to prepare to be safe houses and refuges for the Remnant on the run. And He may tell others to prepare their hearts for prison, torture, and death. The key here is to seek the LORD first! Don't go depending on YouTube videos and survival blogs to tell you everything....seek the LORD first! Don't go listening to prophets and preachers to get you riled up about end times.....seek the LORD first!

When you seek the LORD first, you will find that everything else will fall into place - into its proper place. If we don't seek the Lord first and instead rely upon ourselves or others to answer our questions, we'll be in opposition to the Lord and may get hurt or cause others to get hurt. King David sought the Lord after Uzza's demise and learned what he should have done. But, you know what I love about the end of this story? The Lord didn't tell David, "Sorry, you messed up, that's it, goodbye." No....He gave David another chance! The Lord gave King David the chance to try it again, properly. The LORD showed David mercy! 

Did David give up, tuck his tail, and refuse to try again? No, He praised the LORD with a humble and repentant heart. He didn't blame others, he didn't finger point, he accepted the responsibility of his actions and he sought the LORD and then obeyed the LORD. So too must we be like King David here.

If you've not been seeking the Lord first, don't think it's too late to now. Go to Him this very day, with a humble and repentant heart, and ask Him, "Lord, here I am. Speak and give me ears to listen and a patient heart to wait upon you." Ask Him what the proper order is for your life in preparing for the days ahead. Ask Him what your role is or what He wants you to do for Him and His will. Wait for His answer, don't get impatient, wait upon the Lord. And when He does answer you.....obey and trust Him.

As I ponder the phrase "ready the remnant", I'm left wondering myself, are we ready and will we be ready when the day comes? The answer to that is, if you seek the LORD first, then yes, we will be ready. Not by our own strength or our own hand or our own preparations....but because we sought the Lord first, trusted in Him, and have been obedient. How can you be ready if you don't seek the Lord? How can you trust Him if you don't obey Him? And how can you obey Him if you rely upon yourself to do it all? 

As the very cliche saying goes...."Let go and let God." Remnant, get ready and be ready. And as you have sought the Lord first, and obey Him in full trust and surrender...hold on. The day is coming soon when the Lord will be all we have to cling to for strength, providence, peace, and hope.

Have a blessed week, and may we all seek the Lord first in all things.