"I've got a better idea... than God"

Try to recall the Old Testament story referred to in this verse.

 8 While that man, who was called of God and appointed, that putteth forth his hand to steady the ark of God, shall fall by the shaft of death, like as a tree that is smitten by the vivid shaft of lightning.

Doctrine & Covenants 85:8

Poor Uzzah. Here is the sad story about how thinking we know better than God, can lead to death. In 2 Samual 6:1-8, the Ark of the Covenant was being moved to a new location. Although Numbers 7:6-9 clearly says to carry, and not use a wagon, to transport the Ark, someone thought that it would be much more efficient and logical to use a cart. Then when the oxen were on some unsteady ground, the cart began to rock and Uzzah put his hand on the Ark to steady it.  Numbers 1:51 also clearly states that only certain Levites could ever touch the Ark, or death would come.  But Uzzah didn’t want the Ark to fall out of the cart; surely this would be a good time to make an exception to the commandment. But God smote Uzzah dead on the spot. 

So what is the lesson for us? Have you ever felt like you had a good logical reason, which made it OK to disobey God. “But this is different.” “Yeah, but this is for the greater good.” Willful disobedience to God might not bring immediate death, but over time it often brings spiritual death.

Today’s Takeaway: Consider if there is a standard or commandment God has given where you have decided it is OK to make yourself an exception.  Is there an area you are compromising “for the greater good”?  Trust God enough to know He will support us and take care of things if we will be faithful.