God With Us: Fear and Joy

Follow Along with the Message

"Now David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. (2) And David arose and went with all the people who were with him to Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God which is called by the Name, the very name of the Lord of hosts who is enthroned above the cherubim. (3) They placed the ark of God on a new cart that they might bring from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart. . .(5) Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals. (6) But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it. (7) And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God. (8) David became angry because of the Lord's outburst against Uzzah, and that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day. (9) So David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, 'How can the ark of the Lord come to me?' (10) And David was unwilling to move the ark of the Lord into the city of David with him; but David took it aside tot he house of Obed-edom the Gittite. (11) Thus the ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household" (2 Samuel 6:1-3, 5-11). 

     "A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy" (Proverbs 29:1). 

God can get angry.  Slow to anger--Psalm 103:8. 

"David became greater and greater because the Lord God of hosts was with him" (2 Samuel 5:10). 

NOT a simple matter to have God with us.  Requires reverence and joy. 

--The Fear of The Lord 

The ark.  Gold box.  Contained 10 Commandments and manna and Aaron's rod.  God's presence--government and grace. 

David wanted it back in the center of national life.  Soldiers.  Ox cart.  Sons of Abinadab. 

Uzzah touched the ark and died instantly.  Stunning development!   

David was angry.  David was afraid.  David was unwilling. 

God's long relationship with Uzzah. 

Does God have the right to dictate the way we approach Him?  A great mistake to take God for granted. 

Destruction of Jerusalem.  The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against the unrighteousness of men.  He will not be mocked.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 

Carried on poles by Levites.  1 Chronicles 15:15. Untouched and unseen.  The fear of the Lord is clean.  Psalm 19:9. We fear sin and all that would offend Him. 

--The Joy of The Lord 

     He danced before the Lord with all his might.  6:14. Oz--Material and spiritual strength. 

     Great is the Lord and GREATLY to be praised.  Psalm 48. 

"I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day" (Revelation 1:10).  All our affections and loyalties and attention and identity vested in Him!  The Lord is ENOUGH for joy. 

     Rejoice in the Lord.  The Joy of the Lord is your strength. 

     Criticism will come. 

"When David returned to bless his household, Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, 'How the king of Israel distinguished himself today!  He uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants' maids as one of the foolish ones shamelessly uncovers himself!'  (21) So David said to Michal, 'It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel; therefore, I will celebrate before the Lord.  (22) I will be more lightly esteemed than this and will be humble in my own eyes, but with the maids of whom you have spoken, with them I will be distinguished.'  (23) Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death" (6:20-23). 

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"Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in!  Who is the King of glory?  The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle" (Psalm 24:7-8). 

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20).