The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God (1Chronicles 13:10).

A business friend of mine confessed that he did not like to read. He found it a difficult discipline. I replied "If you do not commit yourself to knowing what is in God's Word and following it, you will fail to know and experience God. God's Word is life to our souls. It provides knowledge that leads to life." The prophet Hosea tells us "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children (Hosea 4:6).

God has given us His Word that has specific laws and principles that must be followed if we expect the blessing of God. King David forgot to follow one of those laws related to the ark. "But they must not touch the holy things or they will die" (Numbers 4:15). When they were transporting the ark Uzzah innocently reached to steady the ark but was immediately stricken dead when his hands touched the ark of God. Did David know this law or did he simply forget? Did Uzzah know this law? If so, did he really believe it? David thought it was OK to carry the ark the way Uzzah did. A man lost his life for his presumption.

Many business people I know take God's Word lightly. They believe they can violate His Word without consequence. This is not true. The Lord stands by to uphold His Word. It can be life, or it can bring death. When God provides instructions we need to follow them.

Knowing this about God brings a healthy fear of the Lord. "David was afraid of God that day and asked, "How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?" (1Chronicles 13:12). We must all have a fearful respect of the Word of God. For truly, it is life or death.

Do you take God's Word seriously? Is it life or death for you? Do you feed upon His Word daily so that you might know Him and know His precepts? Feed upon this knowledge and be blessed of God.