S) "10 So the Philistines fought and Israel was defeated, and every man fled to his tent; and the slaughter was very great, for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers. 11 And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died."
1 Samuel 4:10-11 (NASB)
O) Earlier in this chapter, we see the Israelites lose a large battle against the Philistines. The reaction of Israel was to go nab the ark of the covenant, and take it into the fray of battle. Initially, it seemed to be working. In v.5, the Israelites were letting out an intimidating roar, and the next four verses show the effects on the Philistines they might have hoped to see. Then, when we get to the verses above, we see that the effect was all hype and no substance.
A) When I really break this down, I see the Israelites had idolized the ark of the covenant. They assumed they could harness the box like a weapon, controlling a vessel of God, to unleash upon foes they targeted. This hype, this idolatry, still exists today. There is a trap, that I can start seeking the effects of God, instead of seeking God, Himself. The Israelites would have done better, to seek the LORD, and His direction and plan, to determine their actions in obedience. It should always start with relationship to Him, which is where I must always start.
P) Father, you are worthy of my devotion to You, and not to what You do. In the face of battles, spiritual or physical, conflict or chaos, let me seek You for who You are, not what You do. I confess that Your will is better than mine, Your plan should prevail. I submit myself to Your sovereignty and wisdom. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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