Learning From Your Mistakes

Today’s Reading – 1 Chronicles 16 – 18    (Yesterday 1 Chronicles 14 & 15)

In chapter 15 and 16 of today’s passage, we see the transport of the ark of the covenant back to where it belonged in the Tabernacle in Jerusalem.  You may remember we read earlier in Chronicles and also in 2 Samuel 6 that this was the second attempt to bring the ark back.  The first time they attempted to carry the ark back on a cart instead of the way that was clearly prescribed by God in the Law.  This mistake resulted in the death of Uzza because he put his hand on the ark to steady it.  He wasn’t supposed to touch it!

Why did Uzza die?  because he touched something he wasn’t supposed to touch.  But was it really his fault?  I guess partially it was; but I believe most of the blame fell on David for not doing things the right way the first time.  David was trying to do a great thing, but ended up causing the death of a good man.   David, however, did not let this error in judgment keep him from moving on in the will of God.  He learned from his mistakes.

As I reflect on my years of ministry for the Lord, I am reminded of the many times that I have done things (or not done things) that have resulted in people being hurt.  I have clearly blown it in many situations.  Other times, in trying to correct a problem, I have made matters worse.  I have even neglected to act on occassion hoping perhaps that the problem might go away on its own (which never happens).  It’s rather depressing to meditate upon my failures.  But I have learned this through the years:  people who make many attempts to help other people; and people who make many decisions in life, are bound to make a bad call now and then. 

So what should we do.  Keep moving forward!  Apologize for your failures, learn from your mistakes, and keep moving on.  Don’t let the Devil convince you that your service for God and for people is over.  David made a terrible mistake; but he also made it right.  He didn’t quit, and he went on to greater works than these.