(Read 2 Samuel 6:1-12)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” After David was settled in as King he decided to bring the Ark of God (i.e. the Ark the Covenant) to the city of David. He gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all, just in case anyone attempted to steal it while it was transported. The Ark was so significant because the Lord Himself, the Holy Spirit, dwelled above the Ark, enthroned between the cherubim. In other words, wherever the Ark was, the Spirit of God was. Let me pause here to give you a quick lesson. Adam and Eve had God’s Spirit in them in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were connected to God Spirit-to-Spirit. In Genesis 1 and 2 we see a perfect picture of what God wants with us: creation connected to the Creator, operating in Kingdom dominion, expanding heaven on earth, without any interference from or fear of satan. Adam and Eve lost all of that when they sinned and the Spirit connection between creation and Creator was severed. In the Old Testament they did not have the Holy Spirit. He came upon people, from time to time, but He did not dwell within them. He dwelled between the cherubim, over the Ark of the Covenant. Therefore, the Ark of the Covenant had to be treated in a very particular way. Any deviation from God’s instructions concerning it were met with disastrous results.
Getting back to the story, the Ark of the Covenant was placed on a new cart and moved from Abinadab’s house. The house was on a hill, so the team had to be very careful. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart as it left the house. Ahio walked in front and guided the team. David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the Ark. But he was not supposed to touch it and he died on the spot. David stopped everything. He was afraid of going any further, so he decided not to leave the Ark in the house of Obed-edom of Gath, which was nearby. The Ark remained there for three months and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and his entire household. When King David was told, “The LORD has blessed Obed-edom’s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God.” He decided that the risk was worth the reward, so he got another team ready to move the Ark to the City of David.
So what does this mean to you today? Lots of things:
1. Adam had God’s Spirit within him and he was able to connect with God, Spirit-to-Spirit, 24×7.
2. Adam’s transgression caused a separation between God and man.
3. Because of one man’s sin, sin and death entered the world and reigned.
4. Because of Adam we were born without God’s Holy Spirit inside of us.
5. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit lived over the Ark of the Covenant, in the temple, behind the veil.
6. Jesus came to get us out of everything the Adam got us into.
7. Just like one man’s sin got us in trouble, one man’s righteousness could get us out.
8. We did nothing to make Jesus die for us, paying the penalty for Adam’s sin. Jesus freely died for us by grace and we can now accept His free gift of salvation and restoration by grace; through faith.
9. When Jesus cried, “It is finished!” the veil in the temple was ripped from top to bottom. The Father ripped it open because the Holy Spirit would no longer live there.
10. You and I are now the temple of God and the Holy Spirit lives in us.
11. We have what Adam had—a Spirit-to-Spirit connection with the Father.
12. We can now operate in the same Kingdom dominion, power and authority that Adam operated in while he was in the Garden of Eden.
13. You are graced to carry God’s presence, His Holy Spirit, everywhere you go. Where will you carry His presence today? And what will you do with Him when you get there?
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for sending Jesus to get me out of everything Adam got me into. Adam operated in Kingdom dominion, power and authority in the earth. Adam had a perfect and intimate relationship with You and it was severed because of sin. Adam lost the direct connection and in the Old Testament the Holy Spirit’s presence lived above the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was placed in the temple and only certain people could visit the presence. Jesus died and paid the penalty for what Adam did. Because of one man, Adam, sin entered the world and death reigned by sin. But because of another man, Jesus, righteousness was restored and I have been delivered from both sin and death. Not only that, but the Holy Spirit was restored on the Day of Pentecost. When I was Born-Again Your Spirit took up residence inside of me. I don’t have to visit a temple to visit the Spirit, I am the temple and Your Spirit lives in me. You are inside of me 24x7x365. I take You everywhere I go and You never leave me, nor forsake me. You are IN me, ON me, WITH me and FOR me. I enter this day with fearless confidence. Jesus died and rose from the dead so Kingdom dominion, power and authority could be restored to me. I declare, by faith, that I will walk in that power every day of my life. Satan has no power over me. Fear has no power over me. Death has no power over me. Darkness has no power over me. I have been redeemed and I walk in the freedom and power Christ Jesus died to give me. Father, I am graced to carry Your presence and I carry You everywhere I go, knowing You will bless me to make Kingdom impact when I get there. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
