“Don’t Avoid the Dentist”

“The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.”

I Chronicles 13:4

 

We have admitted to God that we are angry with Him.

We have narrowed down the cause to hurt, frustration or fear.

What is the next step in dealing with our anger so that it does not lead to sin?

We gather information.

What does that mean?

If you look at the story in I Chronicles 13, David’s desire to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem may have been right but the method he used was not.

God had given specific instructions on how the Ark was to be moved and who was to do it. The entire process was detailed and available. But if you look at our text today as well as the three verses that precede it in chapter 13 we find that

David sought advice of everyone except God.

He gathered information from the people but failed to enquire of the Lord.

Maybe this is a bit of a stretch in comparison but suppose you had a terrible toothache and asked everyone what to do about the pain except your dentist.

That would be silly.

The expert would be the first person to contact.

God gave Moses exacting instructions about the Ark and David should have ‘gathered information’ from God.

God was the ‘expert’.

As a matter of fact, after he parked the Ark, David did set out to gather information from God.

Somewhere between the record of I Chronicles 13 and 1 Chronicles 15

David was ‘enlightened’ as to Gods’ directions.

When you are angry with God, don’t simply write it off to lame excuses like:

“I didn’t deserve what He did to me”

“Its’ God’s fault”

“He made me this way”

Instead, admit it, narrow down the causes and ‘gather information’ as the first steps to dealing with it in a way that does not lead to sin.

Enquire of God.

Through the Holy Spirit, He will bring you understanding.