The Bible says that if you draw near to God, He will draw near to you (James 4:8). This requires effort on our part. That’s the thing about relationships. Both parties must make an effort for it to work. In our relationship with God, surrender and obedience is necessary. This is what proper worship is all about, and He alone deserves our worship.
In 2 Samuel 6, we read about a time where David didn’t make a true effort. David wanted the presence of God with him, but at that particular moment, he didn’t want to make the effort. It actually was an easy thing for David to accomplish if he simply obeyed. The ark of the Lord was to be carried on poles. This was a well established command and David had the men present to get this achieved. Yet, David had the ark of the Lord put on a cart and when the oxen stumbled, Uzzah reached out and his death resulted.
We got a glimpse here of someone, in this case David, wanting the presence of God, but not making the effort. Talk about getting in the way of yourself. He dishonored God with his disobedience. As well, shortcuts and oversights cost Uzzah his life and, in the end, the ark remained in the house of Obed-edom.
How many times do you not make the effort? How many times do you wonder why God is silent and yet you never took the time to draw near to Him? How often do you say you do not feel God’s presence, but you did not spend time in God’s Word or in prayer? Do you expect to box God up right where you want Him without honoring Him with your submission? Are you a cart pusher or do you want God to be more near? Are you making the effort today?
Tania Gutekunst 