The lesson of humility

 

READ 2 Samuel 6–10

Looking back, I realize how many things I tried to do without consulting God. Most of them seemed good, but without the desired results. It’s taken years to realize the uselessness of self-effort and the importance of consulting the Lord about everything.

When David began his rule, he determined to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem. On the way, God taught a lesson that made David fear Him:

And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God. (2 Samuel 6:6–7)

This incident does seem unfair to Uzzah who only wanted to protect this sacred ark, but it illustrates lack of trust in God to keep the ark safe. Uzzah thought he had to do something and did it without seeking God’s guidance. This was costly to him but instruction for David. Do not move unless told to do so!

Later, David did some literal moving. He danced before the Lord with rejoicing, wearing only a plain linen garment. His wife severely criticized him but he said, “It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the Lord—and I will celebrate before the Lord. I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honor.” (6:21–22)

David learned that worshiping God means abandoning all thoughts of ‘what will people think’ or what might be considered ‘appropriate’ to onlookers. I’m still learning that one!

When David thought he should build a house for the Lord, a place of worship, God told Nathan the prophet to instruct him otherwise, including reminders of what God had already done in his life. He also said, “Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house . . . .” and went on to describe the kingdom to follow with a house built for Him by David’s son, and “your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.” (7:8–16)

David learned the lesson: what he could do didn’t count if it was not the will of God. David said, “Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.” (7:27–29)

After that, “The Lord gave victory to David wherever he went . . . and David made a name for himself . . . and the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.” He reigned over all Israel and administered justice and equity to all his people. (8:6–15)

By ‘all’ this included the one person left of the house of Saul. David showed this cripple man kindness for Jonathan’s sake by restoring to him the land of Saul and bringing him to eat at the king’s table for the rest of his life. (9:1–13) Other kings destroyed all threats to their throne, but not David. He believed God’s promises. He also illustrated the unconditional love of God and that God is not a respecter of persons.

David was a good example to those who served in his army. When Joab want to battle, he outlined the battle plan and then he said to the people, “Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.” (10:12)

When I ask God for His help, I realize that He can do great things, but also realize that He may not help me, that my problem could be there to teach me something, or to give me opportunity to rejoice in affliction, or to glorify Him even if I continue to suffer. In other words, I’m not to take matters into my own hands. This is the lesson of Uzzah, and David, and Joab.

 

More than just putting my feet up . . .

 

Yesterday I reorganized my studio, moved furniture and tossed extras. I slept well, am sore in several places today, and plan not to work as hard. I need a day of rest.

When God created on six days, this is exactly what He did on the seventh day; He quit working — not for the same reasons (God does not get tired or ache) but gave us a pattern for a regular cessation of activity. Not only do we need it, but this also foreshadows that final heavenly rest.

REST comes from several Hebrew words and one Greek word. Nûaḥ is often used to describe stopping activity and in this sense is a synonym for šābat related to “Sabbath.” Both are used to describe God resting on the seventh day. While hundreds of other verses describe human resting or ceasing activity in the “rest” of death, some verses describe God giving people a “promised land” rest from enemies, with safety and security. Again, this foreshadows our final resting place as described in Hebrews 3:7-4:13.

Related to the noun Sabbath, the OT word šābat is used to describe what God did on that seventh day when He “rested” from the work of creation. Also, when He gave His people manna in the wilderness, He supplied enough for two days on the sixth day so they could rest on the seventh day. They were to observe the Sabbath as a sign of the perpetual covenant with the Lord.

Exodus 34:21. “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.”

By the time Jesus came, this idea of ceasing labor had become a list of rules. Some continue to this day and my gas stove even has a Sabbath mode on it! Back then, Jesus was criticized for healing on the Sabbath. The religious leaders told Him that His disciples should not take care of their needs on that day.

Mark 2:23–27. One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

The NT word anapauō means “to gain relief by resting” such as ceasing from toil or to rest in the sense of bringing something to completion. It is also used of spiritual refreshment. Jesus said . . .

Matthew 11:28–29. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Jesus contrasts rest with anxiety about life and fear of being without earthly possessions. He told a parable about a farmer who thought he could rest when his barns were full but Jesus pointed out that true rest comes from knowing our loving Father in heaven provides all we need. This rest comes from the Spirit of God as 1 Peter 4:14 indicates: “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”

Heavenly rest is not an eternity without activity. In Revelation, rest refers to four things: we will never cease worshiping the Lord, those in hell will never rest in their torment, those who die before Christ’s return are told to rest as they wait for their vindication, and those who die in the Lord will rest from their labors:

Revelation 14:13. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. All this said, I also understand that resting in the Lord is ceasing my efforts to run my own life. Sabbath rest is not just one day a week but every day — trusting Him and His way over my efforts and ideas. It is living by listening and obedience, by being calm and without stress over the little and big things that life hands me. I might be working hard or lying on the sofa— yet as I listen to His still small voice, He tells me when to get busy and when to have a nap — either way, because of Jesus I can experience His rest.