DAVID’S WRONG APPROACH TO WORSHIP
BY NG WAH LOK
Text : 1 Chron 13:1-14
Introduction:
David is regarded as the greatest worshipper in the Bible. The blue prints for worship in the Temple was given to him. However, we find that even the greatest worshipper in the Bible made mistakes in his worship to God.
David wanted to bring the ark back to Israel. He wanted to do the right thing. However in the process, he made many mistakes which are summarized below:-
1. DAVID CONSULTED THE PEOPLE AND BUT DID NOT CONSULT GOD – v1, 4
V1 Then David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds and with every leader.
Worship is not about us. It is about God. We should consult the Holy Spirit and seek his guidance for a worship service. Worship leaders often select songs to make the congregation happy. But is God happy with our songs ?
2. DAVID DID WHAT WAS RIGHT IN THE EYES OF THE PEOPLE RATHER THAN IN THE EYES OF GOD – V2,V4
V2 – if it seems good to you…….
V4 – Then all the congregation said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
Their worship had degenerated into a performance, pleasing to men. But God was not pleased.
Is our worship focused on pleasing men ?
The incense used for worship in the Tabernacle of Moses was exclusively for God
Exo 30:37 But as for the incense which you shall make, you shall not make any for yourselves, according to its composition. It shall be to you holy for the Lord.
Much of worship today has degenerated to become very fun orientated, that is pleasing to men. We want to draw in the crowd by happy songs. It is okay to be happy, but we need to make God happy first.
It is easy to get 2000 people to attend a music concert but try getting 200 people for a prayer meeting. We are in dangerous ground when we design worship services to be pleasing to men rather than pleasing to God.
3. DAVID COPIED THE WAYS OF THE PHILISTINES – V7
V7 – So they carried the ark on a new cart.
Israel was given strict instructions to carry the ark on the shoulders of the priests. However they chose to follow the methods of the Philistines and carried the ark on a cart. This resulted in the death of Uzza.
You cannot use worldly methods and music and expect God to accept your worship.
We often use musicians just because they are talented in music. But are they spiritually right before God ? If a musician is not right, he brings in all the wrong attitudes into the worship team and much of the music is for self glory. This is a recipe for disaster.
Don’t copy the ways of the world in our worship.
4. DAVID ALLOWED UZZA AND AHIO TO “DRIVE” THE PRESENCE OF GOD – V7
V7 – Uzza and Ahio drove the cart
The presence of God was always before the people eg. the fire by night and the cloud by day were before the people and not behind them.
Often times, worship leaders are guilty of “driving the presence of God”. We play our “chord progressions” and “sing in the spirit” when the Holy Spirit is still miles away from our service. We failed to seek the presence of God with all our hearts but expect our good music to bring in God’s presence.
We do not drive the Holy Spirit and expect Him to follow us. We must be led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is before and not behind us.
5. DAVID FAILED TO KEEP THE STANDARDS–V8
V8 – Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets.
The worship ministry was to be a separate ministry. Musicians and singers were to be chosen and appointed from the Levites. However all Israel played music. They failed to keep the standards that God instructed.
It is not only the quality of music that God is interested in. He is also interested that we do it right. Church musicians must live holy lives . Otherwise, they cannot minister in music.
6. DAVID ALLOWED FLESH TO TOUCH GOD’S PRESENCE – V9
V9 – Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark. And he died there before God.
God is Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth. God will not allow flesh to come near his presence. We cannot worship God in the flesh.
Conclusion:
1. David was angry with God –v11. He expected God to please him. Later he began to fear God –v12. This is when he began to please God. If only he had feared God earlier, he would have done it right the first time.
2. The ark remained with Obed-Edom for 3 months and became a blessing to the whole family –v14. God’s presence is a blessing, but when we do things carelessly, it can become a curse.
