Don't Give Up

I was reading in 2 Samuel 6 this morning when David decided to bring back the ark of God. The first time he went to get it he did not follow the guidelines the Lord had set about how to handle the ark. Although he retrieved it and the people with him (30,000 men) celebrated greatly before the Lord, the Lord was angered that he did not do as the Lord said. When one in his company, Uzzah, reached out to steady it on their way back, the Lord's anger burned against him for his irreverence and he struck him down right there.

The Lord's judgement angered David initially. Then he was fearful and he left the ark behind with a Gittite named Obed-edom. It stayed there three months until David heard how blessed the household of Obed-edom had been. So he went back to get it, this time in full reverence and obedience to God's way. He was successful this time, and he celebrated greatly before the Lord.

I realized this morning how much my attitude mimics this sometimes. Especially when I am hurt or offended. I can be quick in my anger or fear to decide I will have nothing to do with the person or the situation going forward. I can over-react pretty easily and decide to shut out certain things or people who may actually be a great blessing to me if I would approach them or it correctly.

Just to clarify what I'm trying to say here are some examples:

- Disengaging from the church or an organization that shares our beliefs because of a disagreement or idea/thought that doesn't align with our opinion instead of finding a way to stay involved or working with the people who differ to come to a compromise.

- Giving up completely on a friendship because of a hurt or annoyance instead of giving grace or confronting if necessary.

- Quitting a job because of a difficulty instead of working through it.

- Giving up on a dream or goal because of a failure instead of hanging in and improving or finding a different approach.

- Giving up on growing in Christ because our plan didn't work the way we thought or because the sin we are trying to overcome crept back in.

David initially gave up on what he knew would be a tremendous blessing. Once he heard of what a blessing it was actually being though, he went back for it with complete dedication and resolve. Let us realize this and live this out in our lives. Don't give up on something just because the first attempt failed. Follow God's word completely, not half halfheartedly, and go after the goal 100%! We can chase after the right thing in the wrong way, so let's be open to look at where we may need to change or adjust our attitude or approach in order to be successful.