Do It God's Way

For because you did not do it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him [a]about the proper order.” 1 Chronicles 15:13 (NKJV)

David decided to make a second attempt at bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This time, he consulted the word to God and the priests as to the proper order, so that he could do it God's way. The first time he had it transported in a new cart by a priest that was not from the order of the Kohathites, resulting in the death of Uzza. The second time he followed the Mosaic Law, having the Ark carried on poles through its rings by Kohathite priests and making sure no one else touched it. When David did it his way, he failed, but when he followed God's way, he was successful.

Like David we tend to want to do things our own way, turning out disastrous, then deciding to do it God's way and becoming successful. Doing things God’s way means trusting His guidance, obeying His commands, seeking His wisdom, and living in alignment with His character and will. Jesus says in Matthew 7:24, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” When we build on the Rock, who is Jesus, our decisions are aligned with Him, and we stand firm when the waves of affliction hit us and are not broken up like those who did it their own way and built in the sand.

Choose to make a conscious decision to do things God's way. Good intentions alone are not enough because God’s Word must guide your actions. Like David, choose to learn from your past mistakes and experience restoration and spiritual growth. If doing it your way ended disastrous, try a new approach and do it God's way. The definition of "insanity" is to keep doing things the same way and expecting different results. When you do things God's way, you find peace and stability, clear guidance and direction, God's provision, and an enduring strength and renewal that only comes from Him.