1 Chronicles 13 describes David's attempt to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. The ark was carried in a cart and was accompanied by a large group of people who were singing and praising God. But verses 9 and 10 tell of a very disturbing incident that occurred. The oxen pulling the cart stumbled and a man named Uzzah took hold of the ark to steady it and God killed him for his action. This incident resulted in a three month delay before the ark was finally brought to Jerusalem. What Uzzah was trying to do was good, so why was he punished for it?
The answer to this question is found in chapter 15. David realized that the ark was supposed to be carried by Levites instead of being put on a cart. He then tried again to bring the ark to Jerusalem but this time he did it in the way God had commanded and was successful.
God has not only told us what we are to do if we want to please him but he had also told us how we should do it. Trying to carry out God's will by the wrong methods is just as much an act of disobedience as trying to do what is contrary to His will would be.
Right now the murder of George Tiller is in the news. Apparently the man who killed him did so because he believes abortion is wrong and he feels that this justifies the killing of abortion providers. Abortion is a great evil and all of us who follow Christ should do all we can to oppose it, but we must do so in a way that in consistent with God's will. David's use of the wrong method for transporting the ark resulted in a three month delay in getting it to Jerusalem and the Dr. Tiller's murder is certainly going to be a hindrance to all of us who are trying to end abortion.