LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
How do I bring the ark of God to my house?
Bringing the ark to the house is to bring Christ himself.
Ruben Chacon
It is very likely that at this stage of our Christian life, thanks to the blessed formation of the Word of God, most believing families find ourselves in reasonably good order. As a married couple, both husband and wife are in Christ and it is very likely that our children are too. Thanks to the Lord, we have achieved some economic stability, our children are being educated well and basically, we we see ourselves as being an orderly family. If this is true, it is something we have achieved in the grace of God and praise God for it.
However, despite this, it is likely that most if not all of us, still feel a great dissatisfaction in our lives. We feel that to some extent we have it all and, therefore, we should feel full, but the reality is different. Inexplicably we suffer degrees of depression, we find that our spouses cannot give us everything we need, that our achievements do not satisfy us as we expected. In short, we do not feel full or complete.
Someone once remarked that moments of depression not only come because of the failures that we sometimes experience, but also after great achievements. Why? Because often the achievements let us down. He who has no money thinks, 'If I had money ...', and he has such a great expectation about it that when his wish is fulfilled, he in actual fact feels dissatisfied. He discovers that money cannot give him everything he hoped for.
The point is this: We should not look to people or things for what Jesus Christ alone can give us. Neither things nor people are our fullness, only Jesus Christ. Therefore, do not expect to get from your husband or wife or children that which only Jesus Christ can give you. He alone can truly fill you. Therefore it is an urgent matter that, like David, we should ask: "How can I bring the ark of God to my house?”.
The example of King David
One of the most interesting moments in King David’s life was when he decided to bring the ark of God to his home. In 2 Samuel 5 we are told of how David came to the throne and consolidated his kingdom: in verses 1-5 David is proclaimed king over all Israel; and in verses 6-10 David takes the stronghold of Zion and conquers Jerusalem.
In verses 11-12 God establishes David in his kingdom by finding favour in the eyes of the neighbouring kings. In verses 13-16 the prosperity and blessing of God are reflected in the large number of children God gave him. And as a seal of it all, in verses 17-25, God gives him victory over his enemies twice.
In short, David has achieved fame, prosperity, blessing, victory, etc. To sum up, he has achieved everything. However, David is not satisfied. Something is missing. But what could he be lacking? Could it be that there is be something bigger and better than fame, prosperity, and everything that makes for a victorious life? What was David missing?
According to 2 Samuel chapter 6 David was lacking the ark of God. And what does this represent?
To answer this question, let us recall briefly what the tabernacle of the Old Testament was made up of. The tabernacle was the dwelling place of God and was divided into three main parts. The first and outermost was the atrium or patio where there were two objects: The altar of sacrifice and the bronze laver. Then in the second part, the Holy Place, there were three objects: the candlestick, the showbread and the altar of incense. In the most intimate part called the Holy of Holies, the only object was the ark of God.
The Holy of Holies was, strictly speaking, the dwelling place of God and the ark of the covenant represented Him. In general terms we can say that all the other objects represented the work of God in Christ. The ark of the covenant, however, represented Christ himself. While the other items symbolized things concerning Him, the ark actually symbolized His very self. Therefore, when David shows interest and concern for the ark of God on earth, in heaven, this was interpreted as showing an interest in the person of God Himself.
David, then, although he had everything, was not satisfied, because he lacked the presence of God. Although he enjoyed the blessings and manifestations of God, David craved his very presence. If God was not there, though David had everything, it would be as if he had nothing. For this reason, the moment that God consolidated him in his kingdom, a desire was birthed in his heart to bring the ark of God to his home.
The first attempt to bring the ark of God to Zion was a complete failure. Instead of bringing life, the ark brought about death. How good it is that the Holy Spirit desired to record this episode! It's good, because this initial failed attempt led David to ask: "How is the ark of Jehovah meant to come to me?" or as it says in the first book of Chronicles, "How can I bring the ark of God to my house?".
This question is very important, because it suggests that good intentions for enjoying the presence of God are not enough. The mere desire for Him and to have Him is not enough. The point is this: He who truly wants to gain Him, must do so under His terms. The presence of God can only 'come' to us if we 'bring' it His way.
God's purpose
Speaking then of how to bring the presence of God to our homes, it is essential to understand the purpose of God. According to the letter to the Ephesians, God our Father created all things (3: 9). The letter to the Colossians reveals that God created all things in, through and for His Son (1: 16). Ephesians 1: 9-10 shows us that God's eternal purpose is to gather up all things into Christ. "gather up" means that God's desire is that Jesus Christ is not only the head of all things, but is the sum of all things. All things are summed up in Him.
In other words, He should become all things in your life: He should become your holiness, your happiness, your health, your prosperity, your fame, your blessing, your sexuality, your future, your food, your husband, your wife, your children, etc.
For this reason, the Lord Jesus Christ descended and then ascended above all the heavens to fill all things (Eph. 4:10). Therefore Paul proclaims that Jesus Christ is "all and in all" (Col. 3:11). Amen.