When Good Goes Wrong
When Good Goes Wrong
“Because it seemed right……” 1 Chronicles 13:4”
Might there be a lesson to glean when our attempt to do good goes bad? Damaged relationships and miscalculated outcomes have resulted from such attempts for as long as time itself. It is nothing new. But when it happens to you or by you it is devastating. Even more so if it occurred out of our own well-meaning intentions. We are left grappling, trying to understand why and how we went wrong.
We’ve all experienced this to some degree. You may still feel yourself cringe as you remember a situation when your well-meaning “plan for good” turned out horribly “bad”. It’s an excruciating thing to own.
The Bible’s King David lived this very thing. Reading in 1 Chronicles chapter 13 it explains how David felt the ark of God should be in Jerusalem with the people of God. Not just stored at Abinadab’s house as it currently was ever since the philistines got rid of it hoping to end the grief it was bringing them. It deserved more honor than that.
David wanted to bring the ark back to Jerusalem. Seeming like a good idea to David, the Bible says, he conferred with each of his officers. It seemed right to all the people the Bible says so he built a brand new cart with oxen to carry the sacred ark of God back to the city of David. David made it very public and everyone was invited to the celebration. Sounded great! Unfortunately in the end David’s good intensions cost Uzzah his life when he reached out his hand to steady the ark when the oxen stumbled.
The Bible says that David was afraid of God that day (1 Chronicles 13:12). It is frightening when we have been so sure of our actions only to see God’s hand of correction. What was David’s mistake? He wanted good. He sought others council and advice and it seemed right to all the people? So where did he go wrong? 1 Chronicles 15:13 says that after some time passed David realized where his mistake was made. “We did not inquire of him (God) about how to do it in the prescribed way”.
Good can be done the wrong way causing devastating outcomes. That is why it is so important to inquire of the Lord about every situation. Going ahead of God is a prideful action when we assume we know how things should be done, addressed, fixed or dealt with. One of the most painful things is Christians hurting others. Both for those hurt and the one who caused it. I’m sad to admit I have been guilty of this and the remorse cuts deep into the heart of someone who wanted to do what’s right. Realizing the hurt you have caused does bring fear. Fear of ever trying to do right again. What’s the point? I only make things worse. That’s when the enemy wins. He wants us to stop doing good altogether.
David learned that God wanted the ark of God carried by the Levites using poles on their shoulders as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the Lord. That made all the difference. God loves a heart which wants to do something good. God wants good done as well but we must ask how the Lord wants it done. Sometimes He says we get to sit this one out. Like when David wanted to build a temple for the Lord. God said “you did well to have it in your heart to build a temple for my Name. Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple but your son”. (2 Chronicles 6:8-9) David accepted this instruction and drew back. Years later David’s son Solomon built the temple for the Lord which the Lord blessed with his presence.
Desiring to do good pleases the Lord. Doing good will often require courage. May God help us to remember to inquire of the Lord first before we rush out and act upon our well-meaning intentions. Doing so will lead us to experience the help and blessings of the Lord.
Proverbs 16:2-3 All a person’s ways seem pure to them but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.