New Cart

The modern church age is fascinated by the new. New technology. New programs. New methodologies. New songs. New ways of doing everything. Churches are fascinated with relevance, practicality, millennials, while generations in the past concerned themselves with doctrine, holiness, evangelism and revival.

Israel lost the ark of the covenant early in the book of I Samuel. David decided it was time to bring it back home after a long while. A delegation went to bring it back with great pomp and celebration. The ark was carefully placed on a new cart to make the journey back home. Along the way the oxen stumbled causing the ark to topple a little. A guy named Uzzah reached out to steady the ark. He died right then.

Suddenly the great celebration turned somber. David got angry and refused to bring the ark back. I am sure many wondered why Uzzah died. What did he do wrong. He was only trying to help.

Let's investigate a little closer. First, when has God ever needed someone to hold Him up to keep Him from falling. The ark represented the place where God dwelt. It was more than just a chest. It was a symbol of the holy presence of God. In fact, the Bible states God dwelt between the cherubim on top of the ark. When Uzzah reached out to steady the ark, he forgot who dwelt with the ark. He forgot who God was. He did not treat God as holy. It cost Uzzah his life.

The other problem goes back to the fact that the ark was transported on a new cart. That is how the Philistines transported the ark to send it back to Israel. The Israelites should have known better. God gave clear instructions on how to transport it in Exodus. The ark was to be transported by poles on the shoulders of priests. God commanded the ark be treated as holy. If Israel had obeyed God, Uzzah would not have died.

Doing it God's way is always best. In the church age, to attract a crowd it appears some very sacred things are being sacrificed on the altar of church growth. Holiness is not in high demand. Doctrine is dodged so preachers talk about felt needs. Technology is preferred to prayer.

Now, I think some old paradigms in church can and should change. I also think there are some timeless things that should never change. New carts might be more efficient but in the eyes of God they are not always more effective. Sometimes they are downright offensive.

New carts cannot produce the power of God. New carts cannot save souls. Only God can do that. New carts might show up in the form of worship centers, but buildings do not revive communities and nations. Only God does that. Beware of putting your trust in new carts.