A Clumsy Ox

The story is well known. The Ark of the Covenant had been taken by the Philistines with disastrous results. Now the Philistines couldn't get rid of it fast enough, but to be safe they sent it back to Israel on a "new cart". After some delay, David wanted to complete its journey to Jerusalem and proceeded to bring it back in the only way that was known to him, the way of the Philistines, in a "new cart".
In studying the evolution of religious organizations down through the years, there is a common thread. No matter the doctrinal differences the "medium of delivery" remains very constant: The ox-cart delivery that brought us to this place seemed to work so we mindlessly adapt the cart to our ideals and re-name it. Today, I watch it unfold all over again as another ox-cart, under a new name, is being built. Trying to enable man in his feeble attempt at helping God do what only can be accomplished by those that are Spirit led! The old adage was never more true than today: "Those who do not learn from history are destined to repeat it." Unless there is a real spirit of revolution within our hearts do you really believe things are going to be any better with a "new cart"?
But, there is an even more important point to make in this story. I Chronicles 13:9 reads: And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. It happened then, it is happening now, and it will happen tomorrow, for the oxen will always stumble! The results? vs. 10 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God. Innocent people will, and have suffered! I don't know of one family, in apostolic pentecost, that has not suffered from the error of using the "clumsy oxen" of the Philistines. Not one! I'm not pointing a finger at men but methods. After you shoot yourself in the foot several times wouldn't it be wise to take a course in marksmanship? Must we keep making the same old mistakes over and over? Or could we wise up like David and ask: "How shall the ark of the Lord come to me?" The answer begins with the question but it certainly doesn't end there. To be continued ..........