David’s New Cart (5) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

The priests were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God; and Obed-Edom and Jehiah, doorkeepers for the ark. So David, the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom with joy.
1 Chronicles 15:24–25 NKJV

David’s New Cart (5)
Let us now see the happy effect of the proper order being adhered to in David’s case. If you want to know where to find the proper order, read Exodus 25:13–15. The ark was only to be carried after that manner. God had written it plainly enough. But David had read his Bible carelessly. When David’s new cart was in use, we find that stumbling, death, displeasure, and disappointment were manifested; and joy, gladness, and worship conspicuous by their absence. All this is reversed when the proper order is observed: “raising the voice with resounding joy” (v. 16) was heard.

Only the priests could blow the trumpets. It takes a priest to give the signal that gathers the assembly together (Num. 10). And who were the doorkeepers? They took the greatest possible care of the ark. And surely, in connection with the order of the assembly when gathered for worship, the testimony of the gospel, the ministry of the Word of God, and the admission to His assembly today, it is of great importance to have the spirit of the doorkeepers here. We are to be very careful with regard to everything relating to Christ and His interests.

That is the sure result of obedience. “God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord” (1 Chr. 15:26). Observe God’s notice of the Levites when things are thus according to His mind—they are helped, and then typically in the sacrifices you see worship flowing up to God. If you and I set ourselves to really obey the Word of the Lord, no matter what it costs, we too shall find that God will help us, and there will be joy in our souls and worship, and fruitful service Godward.

-- W. T. P. Wolston