06/27/2024 – When you try to do what is good, expect difficulty
1 Chronicles 15: 25 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. 26 And so it was, when God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that they offered seven bulls and seven rams. 27 David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the music master with the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. 28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn, with trumpets and with cymbals, making music with stringed instruments and harps.
29 And it happened, as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the City of David, that Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David whirling and playing music; and she despised him in her heart.
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Bringing the Ark of the Covenant to a permanent location in Jerusalem was one of the most important goals in God’s purpose for David. It was the right thing to do. The Ark represented the presence of God; but it had been neglected by the people of God for twenty years. It had been taken to a private house when the Philistines returned it in fear. David wanted to bring the Ark to a place where God would receive the honor He deserves. But David soon found out that doing God’s will is by no means easy, but the most challenging undertaking in our lives.
Perseverance is essential in any achievement- whether it’s school or work. But perseverance is most essential when it comes to the work God has determined for us to do. You have an assignment from God, and it will require all perseverance from you to complete it.
When you try to do the work of God, you will face opposition from the world, from the devil. The powers of evil will come against you. It will require all your determination to continue until you complete it. But often the greatest obstacles come from ourselves.
David had great success against the external enemies of God. He had defeated Goliath, the Philistines and all other peoples who opposed Israel. But David struggled with himself, and his obedience to God.
One of the greatest obstacles to accomplishing the purpose of God resides in our own good intentions. We can convince ourselves that as long as our intentions are good, we can do what we want, the way we want to do it. But the word of God demonstrates that good intentions are not enough; we must submit to the directive of God and obey to do everything the way God commands.