The Life Of David: The Dangerous Glory Of God | Pastor Nate Keeler
What does it really mean to fear God—and can that fear coexist with joy?
That’s the question David wrestled with when two seemingly opposite truths about God came crashing together. On one hand, God’s holiness had proven deadly. On the other hand, His presence brought blessing and abundance. So, which is it? Is God dangerous or is He good?
David discovered that both are true at once. And how he responded can reshape the way we approach our own relationship with God today.
The Ark and the Unexpected Blessing
The story begins with fear.
After Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark of the Covenant and was struck dead on the spot, David was horrified. He hit pause on the entire journey and decided not to bring the Ark into Jerusalem. Instead, he parked it in the house of Obed-Edom.
What David expected was wrath. What happened was blessing.
Obed-Edom’s home flourished. Not just him, but his whole household was blessed. Peace. Prosperity. Life was thriving. And David couldn’t ignore it. If the presence of God was this powerful, maybe he had misunderstood something.
This was the beginning of a new understanding: God’s holiness isn’t only dangerous—it’s good. But it must be approached the right way.
“He’s Not Safe. But He’s Good.”
C.S. Lewis captured this tension beautifully in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. When little Lucy asks if Aslan the lion is safe, Mr. Beaver replies, “Safe? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
This paradox is exactly where David found himself. The fear of the Lord had taken on new meaning. It wasn’t about flinching in dread but standing in awe. God’s presence is powerful, not to be treated lightly—but also not to be avoided.
The challenge is living with both reverence and rejoicing. And David figured out how.
From Casual to Careful: David’s Transformation
David realized he had treated God’s instructions too casually. The first time, they used an ox cart to transport the Ark—something never commanded in Scripture. But after seeing what happened to Uzzah, David went back to the Torah. This time, he got it right.
The Levites carried the Ark on poles, just as God had instructed. Six steps into the journey, everything stopped. A bull and a fattened calf were sacrificed.
Why six steps? Likely because seven is the biblical number of perfection and completion. Stopping at six was a way of saying: before we take one more step toward God’s presence, we must acknowledge His holiness with a sacrifice.
It was obedience with precision, not out of fear but out of reverent love.
Worship in Linen Undergarments
One curious detail sticks out. David wore a linen ephod—not his kingly robes. That wasn’t a fashion choice. That was a theological one.
The ephod was priestly underwear, worn underneath the garments of a priest. By wearing it openly, David wasn’t just worshiping—he was humbling himself. He wasn’t showing up as king. He was showing up as a priest, a representative of the people before God.
This was personal for David. He wasn’t just leading a nation. He was stepping into the presence of God as a sinner who knew he needed mercy.
This humility changed everything. He danced wildly, freely, without shame—because the holiness of God no longer felt threatening. It felt beautiful.
The Role of Sacrifice in God’s Presence
To understand this transformation, we need to understand the sacrificial system. In ancient Israel, sacrifices weren’t about bloodlust or appeasing an angry deity. They were about substitution.
The priest would place his hand on a spotless animal, symbolically transferring the sins of the people. Then the animal was killed, and its blood was used as a covering. It was a vivid, painful reminder that sin leads to death—but that God allows a substitute in our place.
This is what David leaned into. Not his role. Not his good intentions. But a sacrifice.
He knew he couldn’t approach God without it. And that’s what allowed him to rejoice. Because someone else paid the price, he could enjoy the presence of God.
Modern Faith Needs a Holy Wake-Up Call
There’s a casualness in today’s spiritual culture that often downplays God’s holiness. People say things like “God knows my heart,” or “God just wants me to be happy,” or “Sincerity is what matters most.”
But David’s story teaches us that sincerity isn’t a substitute for obedience.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom—not emotional sincerity. Our culture doesn’t lack spiritual talk. It lacks reverence. And we wonder why we don’t experience the depth of joy David did.
When we accept God on our own terms, we create a version of Him that’s too small to save us, too tame to challenge us, and too weak to bless us.
Real Obedience Isn’t Optional
The Bible says that if we love God, we’ll obey His commands (John 14:15). That’s not legalism. That’s love expressed in trust.
David didn’t treat God’s instructions as suggestions. He treated them as sacred.
If you’re wondering why your relationship with God feels stagnant, ask yourself: where have I been casual with what God takes seriously?
Is it how you handle your finances? Your sexual ethics? Your attitude toward the poor? The way you speak about people online? These aren’t small things. They’re spiritual things. They reveal what we truly believe about God.
The Tension We Still Live In
Here’s the tension that hasn’t gone away: how can a holy God be with sinful people?
We’re like Uzzah more often than we’d like to admit. We reach out with good intentions but break God’s commands. We try to handle His holiness on our own terms and then get upset when things don’t go our way.
So what’s the answer?
It’s what David knew. A sacrifice must come first. And for us, that sacrifice has a name: Jesus.
Jesus: The Ultimate Priest and Sacrifice
The blood of bulls and goats could only offer temporary cover. Jesus offered something eternal.
He didn’t wear an ephod. He was stripped bare. He didn’t kill an animal. He was the Lamb. God’s dangerous holiness broke out—not against us, but against Him. He took the judgment we deserved so we could receive the blessing we couldn’t earn.
Because of Jesus, we don’t walk into God’s presence with fear. We walk in with joy, reverence, and freedom.
As Hebrews 10:19 says: “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus…” We enter boldly, not because we’re clean—but because He is.
What This Means For You Today
- Take God Seriously
Where do you need to re-align your life with God’s truth? Don’t assume sincerity is enough. Recommit to obedience. Not to earn God’s love, but to honor it. - Embrace Holy Joy
You don’t have to flinch around God. You can dance in His presence. But that joy comes when you first acknowledge your need for a Savior. - Trust the Sacrifice, Not Yourself
Stop trying to prove you’re good enough. Rest in the only One who is. Let Jesus’ perfect sacrifice be your only boast. - Live with Both Reverence and Rejoicing
God isn’t just your friend. He’s your King. He isn’t tame. But He’s good. And He wants you near.
Final Reflection
David’s story isn’t about ark logistics. It’s about the heart of worship, the danger of flippancy, and the incredible grace available through a sacrifice. The presence of God is real, powerful, and holy. But it’s also good. So good that when you encounter it rightly, you’ll find yourself dancing in humility and joy.
God is not safe. But He is good. And because of Jesus, that dangerous holiness is now your greatest hope.