The Awe of Worship

“David and all Israel were dancing with all their might before God with songs and with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets. When they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out to hold the ark because the oxen had stumbled. Then the Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he had reached out to the ark. So he died there in the presence of God. ”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭13‬:‭8‬-‭10‬

This verse is hard to take.

Why would God strike down men that were trying to do something good?? I mean they were full on worshipping with song, music, dance. Bringing the Ark back home!

THEY WERE WORSHIPPING! Come on God. Seriously??

As I read, the question turned to “how were they worshipping?”

First, let’s remember that God is Holy! He has given us instructions. (The Bible )

When we worship, we are worshipping to a Holy God. Yes, we now have the BEST HIGH PRIEST and His name is Jesus, but we are coming before the SAME God of Uzzah.

In the excitement of their worship to God, bringing the ark back, David and his guys did not respect their Holy God. They did not follow the commands set by God in Exodus.

Only consecrated Levites can carry, ON POLES and no one, NO ONE, can touch the ark!

They inadvertently treated God casually.

Casually.

As long as we are “worshipping” it’s all ok.

Is it??

Are we worshipping the same God as Uzzah?

Are we worshipping the same God that created the ocean and the sky?

“Worship today is to be no less weighty than in Israel, because the God we worship has not lessened in holiness. Joyful, triumphant, consoling — but never flippant.”

How do I worship?

How should I worship?

We approach the Holy God with fear and trembling.

Awe.

Respect.

“The towering love of God, the warm compassion of Christ, the blessed name “Immanuel” (God with us), does not permit creatures to approach him with irreverence. Boldly we can approach the throne of grace through our better High Priest, Jesus — but never apart from him and never in ways disobedient to his command.”

And now, I need to go to my knees in repentance knowing my Holy God has His loving arms wide open.

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