When in doubt, read the instructions

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Sanctification”

Our Bible verse for today: “They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart that carried the Ark of God.” 2 Samuel 6:3-4 (NLT)

Our thought for today: “When in doubt, read the instructions”

In yesterday’s devotional we were reminded that God is the One who is writing the story of our lives, but sometimes we get impatient and we try to steal the pen out of His hands and write the story ourselves. When we do that, we get ourselves in trouble.

King David found that out. In 2 Samuel 6:3-4 we read about the time that David instructed his people to take possession of the Ark of the Lord (it had been in a location it wasn’t supposed to be in). The goal was to move it to Jerusalem where it was supposed to be. Doing that would have been a good thing, except that David was in a hurry and so he did it his way instead of God’s way. God had given explicit instructions on how the Ark was to be handled and transported, and this wasn’t it. Moses had even written the instructions down for them in the books of Exodus and Numbers.

But David was in a hurry and he didn’t bother to read the instructions. As a result, God was mad, people died, and the Ark did not end up getting to the place it was supposed to be. We are often like David. We get in a hurry and we don’t bother to check the instructions (the Bible). Instead, we wing it. We do it our way instead of God’s way and as a result, we mess things up.

In the Bible God has given us all the information we need in order to know His will and His ways well enough for us to stay in the center of His will. There are dozens and dozens of very direct and explicit dos, don’ts, and detailed instructions. Beyond that, there are numerous principles that apply broadly across the spectrum of life issues. Combined, it’s all we need to know in order to live life God’s way instead of our way.

We just need to read the instructions. As Pastor Chuck Swindoll notes, “We often get into trouble when we press forward without checking God’s word for wisdom.” In essence, God says, “If you want to follow my will, check My Word.”

Spiritual maturity teaches us to be patient, to wait on the Lord, and always, always, always, check the Bible to be sure we are doing things His way instead of our own. When in doubt, read the instructions.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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