Lucky #13

2013! Happy New Year!  A new year brings an opportunity to begin again..just like every new day, and every new six weeks in school!  It is an opportunity to start something fresh and new; a time to reflect and refocus.  The Bible says that "Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning."  Psalm 30:5  God points out to us that He has provided moments to choose a new path, a new discovery, a new attitude.  So, what will you choose for yourself today?  Will you embrace the joy that our Heavenly Father is willingly providing for you?  It can be found in Him alone.  Choose to be in His Word today and everyday.  Choose to meet with Him and gain the wisdom that only He can grant.

Most people view 13 as an unlucky number.  Scary movies have been made based on the belief.  However, I don't believe in luck.  I believe in the power and sovereignty of an almighty God.  So, I believe that '13 is going to be a blessed year!  Lucky '13 is going to be everything I choose to make it!  That's the thing about life...as a person and as a Christian.  I get to choose.  God allows me the freedom to make my own choices.  He has graciously provided His wisdom and instruction that comes with a fabulous set of outcomes with every choice to assist me in my decision making.  (Love that!)  Another thing He has gifted us with is an incredible book full of stories of other men and women who received the same freedoms.  We can learn from their successes and failures.

I Chronicles 13:13 (13th book of the Bible, 13th chapter and 13th verse...in case you were curious!) " He [David] did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite."

In this chapter, David wanted to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem.  He asked everyone their opinion; they all agreed.  So, he set up a big fanfare with a band and parade and everyone came out to celebrate!  They were dancing and having a grand time bringing the ark home.  However, they were not obeying.  God had specifically told them how to transport the ark; David did not pay attention.  He did what he wanted to do.  The ark began slipping to the ground; one of the men moving the ark reached out to grab it.  He died on the spot...just as God said would happen.
As you can imagine, that is the end of that party. 

David got mad at God.  Crazy, huh?  David was displeased that God did exactly as He said He would.  David was bothered that God didn't just go along with what he was doing. It was a good thing to bring the ark home.  It was a good thing to be celebrating the return of the very presence of God.  David was leading a fabulous celebration and everyone was there to witness the occasion.  But in the details David was careless and it cost a man his life.  In the details David rushed past and was embarrassed.  Instead of repenting and seeking forgiveness, he got mad at God and pouted.  He stored the ark and didn't follow through on the very thing he committed to do. 

He stored the ark in the home of Obed Edom for 3 months.  The ark of the covenant...the very presence of God was stored!  And the family of Obed-Edom was blessed!  Now, that is lucky! (if you believe in that kind of thing!)

Seek God's approval...not man's.  Obey completely.  Trust the outcome.  Do everything without grumbling and complaining.  Rest in the blessings that await when you obey.