Scripture, 2 Samuel 6-9
Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God . . . and God smote him there for his error; and there he died (2 Sam. 6:6-7)

You and I can learn from Uzzah; he had good intentions but made a fatal mistake. What cost him his life? In transferring the ark from the house of Abinadab to Jerusalem, King David ordered it brought up on a new cart; that was his mistake, for it was supposed to be carried by men of the priesthood. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab's sons, guided the cart, and Ahio walked before the ark. When they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah reached out to steady the ark because the oxen stumbled. It was a seemingly noble reason, yet God smote Uzzah there "for his error" (6:7). What error? Before the trip started, someone had to put the ark on the cart. That responsibility probably belonged to Ahio and Uzzah. Had they loaded it so carelessly that it could not stand the journey? Perhaps. But there's further reason here for Jehovah's sudden judgment on Uzzah. God's holiness doesn't need protecting. The minute we lay our hands on the glory of God, we will suffer for it. God said, "I am the Lord; that is My name; and My glory will I not give to another" (Isa. 42:8). So what we have here is a tragic example of someone whose good intentions were not properly directed.

Now let's look at a positive example. About two years after this tragedy, David wanted to show kindness to the house of Saul "for Jonathan's sake" (9:1). So he found Jonathan's son, a lame youth named Mephibosheth. David brought him in and made him a member of his own household. He showed kindness to a descendant of a person who had hunted him and often tried to kill him. What a blessed way to follow through on a good intention!

Small thought here
Give your intentions to our blessed Lord, will you? Ask Him to help you show a little kindness today to someone who has wronged you, and see what He'll do for you in the process!