When David attempted to move the ark of God, David didn't follow God's instructions for handling the ark. Because David didn't follow God's instructions, a man lost his life. Since this tragedy happened, David decided not to move the ark any farther than it was at the time the man lost his life. In our reading today, David is finally moving the ark to Jerusalem.

This time, David follows the instructions of God. This time David has the Levites carry the ark by rods, as God had commanded.

Do you ever try to follow God your own way? Do you try to do what you think is best without consulting God. Do you try to do that which seems logical and natural? In some cases that is OK. However, if God has given a definite set of plans regarding our response to certain events, we should never follow our own wisdom. We are only setting ourselves up for failure. We must follow the guidelines God has given us in His Word.

When David followed God's way, God blessed. David was able to say,

1Ch 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
1Ch 16:35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.
1Ch 16:36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.