King David Series: Not Safe, But Good

What does it mean that the Lord is good but not safe?

“Me”

Best dance move

let’s see what made David dance in his linen ephod

“We”

Who has read or watched The Chronicles of Narnia?

Who is Aslan?

Mr. Beaver tells Susan that Aslan, the ruler of Narnia, is a great lion. Susan, surprised and nervous, asks “Is he (Aslan) safe?” … to which Mr. Beaver replies, “Safe? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King.”

What does that all mean?

Aslan is a beast of power and prey

Unmatched power & unlimited goodness

awe-inspiring and a little frightening

ultimate defender of Narnia

Aslan is countercultural… he won’t fit in anyone’s box

He is radically good- he is proactive in bringing about good. This will inevitably endanger some. Yet for others who drew near to him (like Susan), they were undeniably secure.

Good does not equal safe

What does it mean to fear God?

“The fear of the Lord is not about keeping our distance from God, but about drawing near to Him.” Liz Wann

God is big, a little frightening when we first recognize who He is (the fear of the LORD is good), and powerful, but also lowly, humble, compassionate, loving, forbearing, and personal.” Wann

“good but not safe”

“God”

v. 1

Thirty thousand men to bring the ark

What is the ark of God?

ark of the Covenant

God made a covenant (a conditional covenant) with the children of Israel through His servant Moses. He promised good to them and their children for generations if they obeyed Him and His laws; but He always warned of despair, punishment, and dispersion if they were to disobey. As a sign of His covenant He had the Israelites make a box according to His own design, in which to place the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. This box, or chest, was called an “ark” and was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold.v. 2-5

The men were not supposed to carry the ark on a cart- only by hand

only Levites were supposed to carry it

Set apart & holy God that had laid out clearly how to deal with His presence and the ark

v. 6 & 7

Dancing, festive, etc… Uzzah was killed immediately

anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah

Was God being cruel for striking Uzzah dead?

Would you call God safe in this instance?

God’s presence is sacred. The LORD is holy!!!

Redpath, “We want God’s presence very much, don’t we? But we like to hitch His presence to some of our new carts. We like to add Him to our list of organizations, to load Him on top of the mechanics of a busy life, and then drive.”

we often describe God as safe… like he is our blanky that is soft and warm and falls perfectly into a pile when we aren’t using it

this story tells differently

so does the flood

so does Passover

so does the conquest of nations we read about in the Old Testament

so does the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary

so does the immediate death of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5

so does the brutal martyring and persecution of the early church

so does the end of this earth’s existence upon the return of Christ

Revelation 1:12-18

Holy God… unholy people. Not safe… but be assured, God is good. Look at the Gospel!!

So God may not be safe as we often understand.. but He is always good. And we are secure in Him alone

v. 9-19

David was angry.... but more so…

David feared the LORD

blessing upon Obed-edom’s house

The Ark is taken into the city of David

“You”

See how David sacrificed before God..

Some scholars say a sacrifice was made every six steps!!

What is our sacrifice to God?

Luke 9:23

Luke 9:23 CSB

Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Romans 12:1-2

Romans 12:1–2 CSB

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

This good God is worth giving yourself to… you don’t serve a soft, cuddly, pushover God. God is God!!! Mighty and powerful. His voice bends the cedars of Lebanon

Our Great God, A Mighty Warrior

“We”

See God as He Truly is

Revere Christ as Lord in your heart

Give all yourself to Him and rejoice before Him!! David danced like a madman because He saw the awesome power and might of the LORD

allow Him to set your heart ablaze for Him

Daily live on the fold of amazement.. with God. For God.

He isn’t boring

Live like He truly is the Lion of Judah