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good intentions are not enough

1 Chronicles 13:1-14

1 Chronicles 13:1 David consulted with all his leaders, the commanders of hundreds and of thousands.
1 Chronicles 13:2 Then he said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if this is from Yahveh our God, let us spread out and send the message to the rest of our relatives in all the districts of Israel, including the priests and Levites in their cities with pasturelands, that they should gather together with us.
1 Chronicles 13:3 Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of him in Saul’s days.”
1 Chronicles 13:4 Since the proposal seemed right to all the people, the whole assembly agreed to do it.
1 Chronicles 13:5 So David assembled all Israel, from the Shihor of Egypt to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.
1 Chronicles 13:6 David and all Israel went to Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim that belongs to Judah) to take from there the ark of God, which bears the name of Yahveh who is enthroned between the cherubim.
1 Chronicles 13:7 At Abinadab’s house they set the ark of God on a new cart. Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the cart.
1 Chronicles 13:8 David and all Israel were dancing with all their might before God with songs and lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.
1 Chronicles 13:9 When they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out to hold the ark because the oxen had stumbled.
1 Chronicles 13:10 Then Yahveh’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 13:11 David was angry because of Yahveh’s outburst against Uzzah, so he named that place Outburst Against Uzzah, as it is still named today.
1 Chronicles 13:12 David feared God that day and said, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?”
1 Chronicles 13:13 So David did not bring the ark of God home to the city of David; instead, he diverted it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath.
1 Chronicles 13:14 The ark of God remained with Obed-edom’s family in his house for three months, and Yahveh blessed his family and all he had.

good intentions are not enough

It seemed like a good idea at the time. David enlisted the support of his kingdom to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. They built a new cart, got two drivers, and accompanied the procession with rejoicing and musical instruments. Then something went wrong. The oxen stumbled, Uzzah reached out to steady the ark, and ZAP — the LORD breaks out against him. One of the lessons God’s people have to keep learning is that good intentions are not enough. God is holy, and his work must be done the right way. Lack of preparation in this case cost a life, and delayed the mission for three months.

LORD, help us to take your work seriously, for you are a serious God.