God's mandate is often inconvenient. The Philistines had captured the ark and kept it for seven months during which they had endured much devastation and many afflictions. They sent the ark back to Israel on a cart pulled by two cows who had recently calved but never been yoked (I Sam. 6).

Perhaps it was from them that Israel got the idea of putting
the ark on a cart. Their choice to use a cart is representative of our following convenience over conviction.

The cart seemed like a good idea and was the quickest way to get to Jerusalem. Yet God wanted them to embrace His way of carrying the ark, instead of a convenient shortcut.You see the Divine mandate was to carry the ark on the shoulders of the Levites.

Don't respond to judgment with anger and fear. Devastated, David retreated back to Jerusalem without the ark, which remained at the house of Obed-Edom.

He was upset because he was trying to do something wonderful and the Lord's wrath had broken out against them. He actually asked the question, "How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?"

Many times we become angry and confused because of our disobedience when the answer is repentance and humility. David chose to be frustrated with God instead of accepting the responsibility for the sin.

Three months later, after watching the blessing of God upon Obed-Edom's household, David realized his error and once again took up the pursuit of bringing the ark to Jerusalem.

Passion without obedience is not worship. Fast-forward to I Chronicles 15. We now find the exact same scene playing out again as the ark of God is brought up from the house of Obed-Edom. Only this time the priests are carrying the ark according to the instructions prescribed by the Lord.

Every six steps
the entire entourage is stopping to offer sacrifices unto the Lord. It is neither convenient, nor common. Oh, there is singing and dancing, celebration and music! The worship is every bit as passionate as the first time but there is a major difference.

Now, the right thing is being done in the right way and the Lord is very pleased. David has even taken off his kingly garments in the sight of all of Israel in a humble declaration of gratitude and joy.

Two scenes exactly alike, both contain the passionate expression of worship. Both seem to be honorable and driven by pure motives. Both are full of celebration. One ends in grief, the other in exuberant joy. The difference: obedience. 

It is in this context that the words spoken by the prophet Samuel to King Saul years earlier bring crystal clarity to this story. "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifice as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams" (I Sam. 15:22).

Samuel declared that sacrifice is not as valuable to the Lord as obedience. When King Saul tried to use worship as an excuse for disobedience, the offense was so great that God took the kingdom from him and soon after David was anointed to be King.

This was David's test of worship and obedience. Would he respond as King Saul and try to protect his pride since it had become obvious that God was displeased. Or, would he realize his mistake, repent and obey. The truth is disobedience disqualifies our worship!

In fact, the very act of worship is but a reflection of an obedient life. This is the lesson from the story of Uzzah: worship cannot just be convenient, and it certainly should never be common.

Passion is not enough to qualify as worship. Exuberance is no substitute for the character and consistency that God requires of us. True worship is obedience.