UNEXPECTED BLESSING

[Pastor Bayo Afolaranmi]

Dearly Beloved,
UNEXPECTED BLESSING
“David was afraid of God that day and asked, ‘How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?’ He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed his household and everything he had” (1 Chronicles 13:12-14 NIV).
The Lord had just established the kingdom of the whole Israel in the hand of David. David was returning the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem the new capital amidst jubilation with the Levites, the priests, and the whole people of Israel, but the Lord killed Uzzah because he was preventing the ark from falling. David was afraid to bring the ark to his city. He left it at the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
What was the intention of King David? Did he mean well for Obed-Edom? Only God knows. But apparently, he did not mean well for Obed-Edom having known that the ark was sacred. What would have been the reaction of Obed-Edom and his family when the “unquestionable” king took such “dangerous” decision?
Undoubtedly, they would have prepared for the worst. However, the “dangerous” sacred object became a channel of blessing to Obed-Edom and his family! (1 Chronicles 13:12-14; 26:4-5).
Two lessons can be deduced from this. Firstly, do not panic when people are been wicked to you. Who knows, God may turn their wickedness to blessings for you. When they were regretting their action of selling him to slavery, Joseph told his brothers, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children" (Genesis 50:19-21 NIV).
Secondly, be useful for the work of God. We do not know if Obed-Edom willingly accepted the Ark of the Covenant, but the Bible says the ark remained in his household for three months. As a Levite, he must have taken good care of the ark during that period. God blessed his household for keeping the ark. If we are also ready to be useful in the hands of God in all ways, God will bless us abundantly (Proverbs 3:9-10; 10:22; Malachi 3:10-11).
When people hate you, be good and continue serving the Lord. He will unexpectedly bless you!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
This message was first sent out on June 13, 2004.