2 Samuel 6:12, "...So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness."

David had gone through a progression of effort to get the ark of God in the same place where he would rule the kingdom. If you recall the ark had been taken by the Philistines. They were cursed with plagues and sent it away to Beth-shemesh. There were people who looked into the ark which was a violation of who could minister before the ark and God killed just over 50,000 (1 Samuel 6:19). The ark was then sent to Kirjath-jearim and was in the house of Abinadab, and Abinadab's son, a sanctified priest named Eleazar, kept the ark of the LORD (1 Samuel 7:1). Now David began the process of moving the ark from Kirjathjearim (it had been there about 20 years) and when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to steady the ark and God killed Uzzah. David is both displeased and fearful and decides to leave the ark in the house of Obed-edom. The ark remained with Obed-edom for three months and David learns of God's blessing upon this man and his house (2 Samuel 6:11-12). This was motivation for David to bring the ark to Jerusalem and which brings us to today's verse, "...So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness."

David knew the spiritual significance of the ark and desired to have it in the place where he would rule the kingdom. David lived with a deep spiritual focus in his life. This did not mean that he was perfect, as we well know, but he desired to honor and glorify God. Do you live life with a focus upon the Lord? Or do you simply talk about God, and have a shallow experience with Him? I pray that we will seek to live life in a manner which makes Christ preeminent in all we do, say, or think.

Colossians 1:16-18, "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

Live Life With A Preeminent Focus Upon Christ!

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1.  Are there things that seem to hinder you from having a daily spiritual focus?

2.  What can you do to help insure that you live life every day focused upon the Lord and that which is spiritual?

3.  Would you currently say your spiritual walk is shallow and needs some help?  What needs to change?