1 Samuel chapter 4
We jump over to the 1st book of Samuel for more history concerning the ark introduced in the last session.
The Philistines were a constant enemy of Israel. In this battle, the Israelites were clobbered. So they ask why this happened (v. 3). But instead of seeking God’s guidance through fasting and prayer, they decided to bring in the ark to insure a victory (v. 3 as well).
And what happened? They got beat again! (v. 10) Why? They were putting faith in the ark, and not God for their well being. Truth is, there were big problems in the spiritual life of Israel (chapter 2 and 3), and they weren’t dealing with them. Perhaps by bringing in the ark, they would be showing respect to God, and it would do wonders for them in battle.
But God is not bound to any physical thing. As we learned in the last session, physically, the mercy seat of the ark was NOT where God meets us. They were trusting in some miracle that the ark would provide and just automatically give them victory. They weren’t trusting in God. They couldn’t make God do something just because they had the ark.
So the Israelites were defeated and the ark taken away from them. “Glory has left us!” they cried (v. 22) But the real glory is God, and not the ark. God had not left them. But the removal of the ark from them did signify the gap in the relationship between God and the people that was caused by the sins of the nation. The loss of the ark also shows the greatness of their sin.
What is it that causes gaps in your relationship with God? What is it that sometimes takes God’s glory from you? What is it that you are relying on instead of God?
It is not any sort of item that we can carry around (like the ark) that magically keeps God’s glory with us. God doesn’t meet us in those things. We can’t trust them. God meets us in his love and mercy, that we should carry with us into the battle of life that will insure victory for us. When we are troubled, we should seek his guidance and forgiveness.
Lord, help us to see your glory in your grace and mercy to us. Keep us from trusting in objects which take your glory from us.
- Richard M.