Tag: bible

A Prayer for SIL, Day 49

On By LindaIn prayersLeave a comment

Lord, help me to let go and let you work in SIL at the pace and the way You choose. She is not changing the way I think she should, or as fast as I think she should. But she’s not mine to fix. She belongs to You. She answers to You. I release her, again, to You. Heal her. Teach her. Guide her. Convict her. Love her. I pray that she responds to You, cooperates with You, and seeks You above all else.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work) 2 Timothy 3:16 (17)

Jesus, I pray that You draw SIL to Your Word, that she craves it and feeds upon it every day. And while she does so, that You use it to teach, correct, and train her in righteousness.

In Your Hands,

Amen.

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 10 – The Mess

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

I stood up from the side of the pond and stretched my back. I thought laying rocks around the edge of the pond to hide the lining would be easy compared to what I had already accomplished. But no. This was like doing a jigsaw puzzle – except with very large, heavy pieces. I had to find rocks that fit together, and they had to look natural. That meant choosing different sizes, textures, and colors and finding ways to arrange them to cover every inch of the lining without it looking like they were covering every inch of a lining.

I had just reached a spot that required a large rock with a particular shape that I knew I had. As I stood, I looked around. Now, where did I see it last? Tubs were holding water plants until the bog pond was ready for them. Tools were left where they were last used. Clay and leaves covered the grass. The protective netting was draped over the rocks and tubs. Piles of dirt, concrete blocks, and bricks were scattered everywhere. Finding the piles of rocks, never mind one particular rock, in such a mess would not be easy. Or fast. Sighing, I began the hunt.

I admire people who can keep a clean work area. I cannot. Every flat surface gets covered with tools, inspiring materials, discarded items, and trash that didn’t make it into a trash bag. It doesn’t matter how often I stop to clean it up, within hours (or days depending on the project), everything becomes a mess again. I’ve learned to live with it.

I like to think I take after my Father. He also seems to create a mess whenever He’s working in me. When I first became His child, He brought to the surface emotions I had long buried. He showed me an inspiring future but kept jobs out of my reach. He changed my living conditions forcing me to move. He placed new ideas in my mind that mingled with old lies that hadn’t been tossed out yet. And He surrounded me with new tools – the Bible, spiritual books, highlighters, people, and music.

Over the years, there have been times when things seemed to be cleaned up. Everything in my life looked neat and tidy. But then God’s work in me would continue and a mess would quickly replace my comfortable life. New feelings from deep in my heart would be dug up and left in the open. New aspects of God and the spiritual world would fill my mind along with ideas that I clung to in case I would need them in the future. An inspiring mission would be placed in my heart but I would be kept from acting on it. Details in my life would shift and change, sometimes requiring me to move again. And I would end up surrounded with new tools to explore.

At first I would get distressed at each mess I saw. How could this be God? Isn’t He a God of order? What if this was discipline? What did I do wrong? Or is this the devil? Am I supposed to pray against it? Discouragement and confusion often complicated the work being done in me.

Yes, God is a God of order according to the Bible. However, many times we just can’t see that order. On top of that, God is also the God of storms, which are filled with chaos – roaring thunder, streaks of lightning, tossing seas. When He shakes us to remove what doesn’t belong, we may feel totally out of control. It may feel as if everything in our lives – both inner and outer – is such a mess. But we can relax knowing that He in in total control of every detail and every moment.

Over the years, as my trust in Him grows, my despair is slowly being replaced with quiet assurance that God knows what He is doing. I am learning to abide in Him, to live patiently with the mess – when I recognize it and remember that it’s temporary – and trust that God will clean it up in His time. I have also come to believe that what I, and maybe the people around me, see as a mess, God sees as a masterpiece.

Let’s learn to abide in God. To allow Him to work as He knows best. To trust that what looks and feels like a mess to us, like the underside of a piece of embroidery, will look amazing when we get to see it from God’s perspective.

And – just as important – let us extend the same grace to others as they grow in Christ. Let’s trust that the mess we may see from our viewpoint is a sign of God’s work and that one day we will see the beauty that God sees.

Scriptures:

At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, Hebrews 12:26-28

But all things should be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:11-13

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33a

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. John 15:9

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. Nahum 1:3b

At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ”Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken – that is, things that have been made – in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Hebrews 12:26-27

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:25

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15a

For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

You keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD God is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:3-4

I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalm 131:1-2

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, part 1

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

Winter is almost over. My goldfish have come up from the depth that kept them safe over the frozen weeks. I watch them with delight. Not only did they all survive, they had grown larger!

As I watched them, I sensed something had changed. They seemed to be much stiller. No dashing here and there. No chasing each other around. They just seemed to float in place. Were they sick? No, they were eating well. So what was wrong? Then it dawned on me. They didn’t have as much room to move around in as they had months ago. They may be feeling too crowded to play. Many centuries ago, a man named Jabez may have felt the same way.

Jabez called out to the God of Israel, saying, “, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.1 Chronicles 4:10

I can hear those fish crying out to me: “O, that you would bless us and enlarge our border, that your hand might be with us and that you would keep us from the harm of being too crowded.”

And of course I decided to grant them what they asked.

As we enter adulthood, we often think that life is wide open and full of possibilities. The sky is the limit, we are told. But many years later, we may wake up to a life that seems too small and crowded to swim in the freedom that we once had. It’s not that our borders have changed. It’s because we have changed. And our lives have changed. Our families have grown larger. Our material blessings have multiplied. The number of people we have influence over has increased. And we have much more wisdom from our experiences. All good things – but they fill our lives to the point that all we can do is tread water.

There several things we can do.

We can just accept it, like the fish did.

We can get rid of things to make more room. But sacrificing some things for the benefit of others may not be the best choice. Fish getting rid of fish would not be good.

Or we can pray that God enlarges our pond like He did for Jabez and other people in the Bible.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’shouse to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. Genesis 12:1-2

But you have increased the nation, O Lord, you have increased the nation you are glorified; you have enlarged all the border of the land. Isaiah 26:15

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little. I will set you over much more. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21

“Neither do we boast beyond our limits in the labors of others. But we hope that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you will greatly increase as well.” 2 Corinthians 10:15

Enlarging our territory is often a reward for being faithful (staying alive in the case of the fish) and a promise of God’s plan for our lives. It’s a good thing, but as you will see, not simple or easy. It involves challenges, facing the unknown, hard work, and patient endurance. But in the end, it will be marvelous.

Stay tuned for Part 2 – Digging

A Prayer for SIL, Day 11

On By LindaIn prayersLeave a comment

Lord, I lift up SIL tonight as she sleeps. Heal her heart. Give her wisdom and insight into what she’s doing and what to do about it. Give her the courage and the strength to see what You show her, and to make the changes she needs to make. Call her and set her into a ministry. Surround her with godly women for companionship and for modeling and mentoring. Set her heart on fire with love for You. Renew her first love for You.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a rightspirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:10-12

Create in SIL a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within her. Let her not feel as if You have cast her away from Your presence for I know You have not done so. Fill her with Your Holy Spirit. Restore to her the joy of Your salvation, and uphold her with a willing spirit.

In Your Cleansing Name,

Amen.

A Prayer for SIL, Day 10

On By LindaIn prayersLeave a comment

Lord, I pray your mercy and grace on SIL. Open her eyes and help her to release everything to You. Do the things necessary to bring her to maturity. Make her the woman You made her to be.

…So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. Ephesians 4:14-15

Lord, I pray that SIL will no longer be a child tossed to and fro by waves of impulses and carried about by the winds of self-centeredness, human as well as self-deception, and deflection. Rather, speaking the truth in love, may she grow up in every way into You, who is the head. May she allow You to control her as a head controls its body.

In Your Mighty Name,

Amen.

Throw Out the Bath Water – But not the Baby

On By LindaIn My Thoughts, UncategorizedLeave a comment

With all the stuff coming out lately – the Epstein files, false prophets, immoral pastors – it seems that the people who have been speaking out against rich white males have a point. Rich and powerful men have been doing all kinds of bad things for many years. And most of these have been white.

Yet there are millions of adult white men who are nothing like these. Millions of adult white men are living decent lives. They work hard to support their families, give of themselves to their community, and share their resources with those in need. Judging all white men because of those who are doing wrong is like throwing the baby out along with the dirty bath water. Besides, there are plenty of non-white men doing evil – and it’s not limited to just men. Women can be just as evil.

We need to get rid of the evil but let’s not do so at the cost of the baby. Let’s clean up our lives so our light, which comes from Jesus, will shine in dark places and we can rightly call out the evil happening around us.

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. John 7:24

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. Ephesians 5:11

But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, Ephesians 5:13

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

A Prayer for SIL, Day 3

On By LindaIn prayersLeave a comment

Lord, calm the battle that swirls in and around SIL. Open her ears to the truth so that she can be freed. Bless the efforts she makes and call her to Yourself for healing and counsel. Jesus, she needs to be rescued as much as I did when You saved me. If this battle is one of her own making in which the enemy is taking advantage, show her what she’s doing that needs to be addressed. She can’t repent if she thinks nothing is her fault. She may feel as if she’s a helpless victim but she is not. Lord, if she is being convicted by the Holy Spirit for something, I pray You strengthen and enlighten her to see it so that she can confess what needs to be confessed, be forgiven, and be set free to walk with You. Keep her safe, Lord, in all of this.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9

Lord God, I pray that Your grace will bring salvation to SIL, that You train her to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and enable her to live a self-controlled, upright, and godly life in these troublesome times as she waits for Your glorious appearing. Jesus, You gave Yourself to redeem us – I pray that you redeem SIL from all lawlessness, and that You purify her for Yourself to be zealous for good works.

In You Glorious Name,

Amen.

Wedding Vows Can Be Hazardous to Your Marriage Part 4 Marriage God’s Way

On By LindaIn My ThoughtsLeave a comment

The Bible has a lot to say about marriage. When to get married, when not to get married, why get married, the roles of each spouse, and how to treat each other. Based on this, marriage must be either important to God or problematic for people. I think it’s both.

Marriage is important to God because it is a picture of Jesus’ relationship with us, His church. The love and faithfulness, service and fellowship that He gives and wants in return is how He planned marriages to be – with one big difference: He is faithful even when we are not.

Marriage is problematic for people for two reasons. One is because we are generally self-centered. Whether we realize it or not, we live as if the world revolves around us. If we go into marriage with this mindset, we will eventually feel let down or betrayed.

The other reason is our expectations. We may serve people for a time – food banks, mission trips, volunteer opportunities – not expecting much in return. We may look to others – friends, family, nonprofits, government – to meet our needs knowing they may not always be able to. But we tend to expect more out of our spouses even though they have the same weaknesses as everyone else. Could that higher expectation be part of the reason?

In biblical marriages we are encouraged to treat each other as Jesus treats us – not as we treat each other. We are encouraged to look to Jesus to fill all our needs – not expect our spouse to carry that load. We are encouraged to forgive each other like Jesus forgives us – daily, without holding a grudge, and without keeping score. And we are encouraged to serve each other, to think of our spouse over our own desires – like Jesus did for us when He lived and died for us.

What would happen if we entered into a marriage with these goals in mind? How would our vows be shaped by these goals?

 That’s what I will explore in the final part, Part 5.

Scriptures

For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name Isaiah 54:5a  

For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. Isaiah 54:5 

 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:7-9

I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 2 Corinthians 11:2

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Heb 13:4

Husbands love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctity her, having cleansed her by the washing of water and the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27

Wedding Vows Can Be Hazardous to Your Marriage Part 2 Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud

On By LindaIn My ThoughtsLeave a comment

Have you ever stopped to really consider the promises being recited at a wedding? What if we could see into the future and then recite our vows with that in mind. What if we said the quiet part out loud? In the world, it might sound like this.

I take you…

to have and to hold, (except when you make me mad or when I am too tired or when you come in from cutting the grass all dirty and smelly or before you brush your teeth in the morning…)

 in good times and bad, (except when the bad times make you irritable, angry, or depressed or are happening because you did something stupid)

for richer and for poorer, (except when you spend all our money and max out the credit cards or because you lost your job and have many excuses why you can’t find another one…)

in sickness and in health. (except when it causes me to become your caretaker, like if you became paralyzed from an accident or developed dementia or an autoimmune disease…)

I promise to be faithful to you (as long as you are faithful to me and you keep up your appearances and you fulfill all my desires…)

and stand beside you in all things. (except when doing so will cause me to be too uncomfortable or when it cuts into my personal time)

I promise to keep laughing with you, (until your jokes get so old that all I can do is groan)

crying with you, (after the first few dozen times, you’re on your own)

and never stop finding new ways to make you smile. (except when you stop finding new ways to make me smile)

I will love, (until the emotion goes away)

honor, (as long as you are honorable and do the right things)

and cherish you (except when I take you for granted because I’m too busy thinking about myself)

all the days of our lives. (maybe most of the days, but the nights are mine)

In Part 3, we’ll take a look at some statistics.

Scriptures:

For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Luke 8:17 

Do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.”  Zechariah 8:17

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

Me Do It!

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parables, My ThoughtsLeave a comment
Photo by Polesie Toys on Pexels.com

My heart hurt as I watched my two-year-old granddaughter’s growing frustration as she struggled to fit a plastic shape into its hole. She had gotten the star and heart shapes into their openings but the triangle just wouldn’t fit into the square opening. She had gone from sliding the triangle back and forth across the opening to trying to force it with every bit of small might she had. I yearned to share my knowledge with her but each offer to help was met with a defiant, “No! Me do it!”

“There’s a special hole for each shape…” I started only to be interrupted with, “No! Me do it!”

“You can’t fit a triangle into…”  was cut off with “No! Me do it!”

“Here, let me show you…” was answered with a growl. “No! Me do it!”

So I sat back and let her work. If only she would listen.

Angry tears now filled her eyes as she pushed even harder. Failing that, she began slamming the poor triangle onto the opening. Over and over she tried. Over and over she failed until she couldn’t stand it anymore.

With a scream, she threw the triangle across the room.

I held out my arms. “Come here, baby.” Sobs racked her tiny body as she clung to me. Sitting there on the floor, I rocked her until her breathing slowed, her tears dried, and she was once again at peace.

You would think that the next time she played with that toddler toy set, she was more willing to allow me to help her. But no.  Again she insisted on doing it herself, getting upset in the process, and ending in my lap sobbing out her frustration.

Eventually, one day, she accepted my help. Then, with a triumphant smile, she gently pushed the triangle piece into the triangle opening.

I wonder if we don’t do the same thing to God. He knows how things work. He knows how to solve problems. But we think we can figure it all our on our own. We think if we work hard enough and long enough, we can solve all our problems. We ignore God’s way to create our own way.

When we do this as an individual, it’s called rebellion.

When we do this as a society, it’s called humanism.

This is Google’s summary of humanism based on American Humanist Association’s definition: Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that emphasizes human reason, ethics, and agency to find meaning and fulfillment. It is a secular worldview that affirms individual dignity and social responsibility, using science, art, and compassion to create a more just and compassionate world. Humanism does not include supernatural beliefs or theistic views. 

In other words, humanism, which is rampant through every part of society, is mankind saying to their Father, “Me do it!”

Why do we humans continue to strive to become equal to God regardless of the consequences? Didn’t Adam and Eve teach us anything?

Why do we humans think we know better or can do better than the One who created us? Cain certainly tried, and failed.

Why do we humans repeatedly try to serve a holy God our way like the Israelites did when moving the Ark of the Covenant?  Uzzah paid the price for that.

Why do we humans insist on creating an image of God that pleases us but not Him? The golden calf should have been a clear warning.

Why do we humans keep looking to ourselves to fill our needs? David knew from experience who to trust.

Why do we humans fight so hard to be independent of God? It never worked out well for the Israelites.

Some people have said: “Oh, that just happened in the Old Testament. Today is different.”

Is it?

Adam and Eve

For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise,[b] she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. Gen 3:4-7

Cain

In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, and you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:3-7

The Golden Calf

And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord.” And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’” And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.” Exodus 32:4-10

The Ark of the Covenant

And he cast for it four rings of gold for its four feet, two rings on its one side and two rings on its other side. And he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold 5 and put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark. Exodus 37:3-4

And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die. These are the things of the tent of meeting that the sons of Kohath are to carry. Numbers 4:15

So Moses took the wagons and the oxen and gave them to the Levites. Two wagons and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service. And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.  But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because they were charged with the service of the holy things that had to be carried on the shoulder.  Numbers 7:6-9

David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale-judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim. And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart, with the ark of God, and Ahio went before the ark. And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God. 2 Samuel 6:1-7

Trust in God

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. Psalm 20:6-8