1 Chronicles 13:14

What a happy house was Obed-edom's made, because of the ark. Think, Reader what happiness and blessedness is in that family, that house, that heart, where Jesus dwells. Oh! Lord Jesus! come and dwell in my heart, my house, my family, and all will be blessed indeed.

REFLECTIONS

BEHOLD, my soul, in the perusal of this Chapter, how precious the ark of God was in the sight of all Israel, and learn from hence how infinitely precious he whom that ark represented ought to be to all his people.

Learn, moreover, how vastly interesting to have his presence brought home to the soul, that Jesus may be formed in the soul the hope of glory. But learn, moreover, with what reverence and godly fear the Lord is to be approached in holy seasons of ordinances. In the instance of Uzzah I would have my whole heart impressed with a deep sense that a trifling frame of mind, or an unbecoming confidence of spirit, is no part of the liberty belonging to the gospel of Jesus. Never, my soul, I charge - thee, never dare go to any holy ordinances, as the unthinking horse rusheth to the battle. But Lord, grant me that preparation of the heart, and that answer of the tongue, which are both of thine own giving.

Learn, my soul, from the conduct of David on this occasion, how to be humbled under his Almighty hand, and never dare to be displeased with God, when at any time his providences seem to intimate his displeasure with thee. But let me love the hand that smites, from a conviction that it is from love his chastisements came. And chiefly, and above all, let me have grace to behold in the blessing of Obed-edom's house for the ark of God's sake, how highly interesting it must be to fetch home Jesus from every ordinance, every event, every Providence, in his word, and by his grace, to my house, my family, my heart. There, blessed Jesus, do thou take the full, the entire possession. Drive out all other things, all the buyers and sellers out of thy temple, and reign there, and rule there, the lord and sovereign of every affection.