I Chronicles 13:1-14
David has a good idea. In fact, it was a divinely-inspired idea. He would go get the Ark of the Covenant and bring it to Jerusalem.
His aim was to restore the spiritual relationship between God and His people, Israel. He wanted the Lord God to once again be at the CENTER of the people of God.
But, the first attempt failed. Even though it had the right end objective, it was not done the right way. As a result, one strong, faithful man was incinerated. Uzza (which means “strength”) reached out his hand to steady the teetering Ark, and God had had enough of the man-made way of carrying His presence. All progress was stopped because it wasn’t being done according to biblical order.
LESSON: The means and the ends are both important to God. The accomplishment of a great feat does not justify how it was attained. God is as interested in HOW you travel as He is in WHERE you end up. A great or even godly objective does not justify ungodly ways we get there.