1 Chronicles 15:2, 12–14 NIV Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister before him forever.” He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate yourselves and bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.” So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel.
When David became king, his heart was right—he wanted to honor God. He built a place of worship in Jerusalem and planned a national celebration to bring up the ark of the covenant, the symbol of God’s presence and favor upon Israel.
But the first attempt ended in tragedy. A man died, and God’s anger burned—not because David’s motive was wrong, but because David did not do God’s work God’s way. He didn’t inquire of the Lord or follow His prescribed instructions.
The second time, David sought the Word of God. He led God’s people in obedience, and the result was joy, blessing, and glory to God.
That same truth cuts straight to us today. Too many good men are trying to live for God, but on their own terms. They mean well—but they haven’t asked what God actually says about how to lead, how to provide, how to build, and how to serve.
Like David, we’ve got no excuse. He had Levites—teachers of the law—at his disposal. We have entire shelves of Bibles, podcasts, and sermons available at the tap of a screen. Yet many still live by what feels right, not by what is written.
The result? Frustration, burnout, missed purpose, and distance from the God we claim to follow.
Men, our Father isn’t looking for religious effort. He’s looking for obedient sons who love Him enough to listen. God’s Word isn’t optional reading—it’s the playbook for purpose. To ignore it is to forfeit the very relationship that gives life meaning.
God is not an idea to believe in or a code to follow. He is a Person—a living Father who came to us in Jesus Christ to save us, teach us, and dwell within us by His Spirit. He calls us not just to live good lives, but God’s life—holy, purposeful, and aligned with His will on earth as it is in heaven.
Don’t just mean well—move right.
Open God’s Word before you open your calendar.
Before making a big decision, ask: “Is this how God says to do it?”
Consecrate yourself—set your heart apart today—to follow His will, His Word, His way.
