The Joy of Drawing Near to a Holy God

Last week we saw the danger of drawing near to a holy God when Uzzah was struck dead because he dared to touch the ark of the covenant which represents the LORD's presence among His people. Uzzah died because David and Israel failed to approach the LORD in the way proscribed by His Word. We were reminded that we too must only seek to approach the LORD in the way He has revealed – through Jesus Christ who has removed our pollution by being struck down for us and given us His holiness (John 14:6).

In this week's text we will see the joy of drawing near to God as David follows God's law in the manner in which he moves the ark into Jerusalem.

This produces exuberant joyful celebration for David and all of the people. This scene is portrayed in the Psalms as a precursor to the final coming of the LORD's anointed King into His holy city (Psalm 24). Jesus is the one King who is worthy to ascend the hill of the LORD and to lead His people into the LORD's holy presence.

The LORD still seeks worshipers who desire to draw near Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). We, like David, must be careful to worship in the way God has ordained in His Word. The Old Covenant symbols have been fulfilled in Christ. We offer spiritual sacrifices to God through singing His praises, praying, hearing His Word proclaimed, and observing the New Covenant ordinances. We, like David, should worship the LORD with great joy (emotion).

There are two kinds of danger when it comes to emotion: careless enthusiasm and cold orthodoxy. We reformed folks tend to be pretty good at knowing and following the rules. We could learn to grow in our passion for Christ!