“And when
the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Why has the LORD
smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant
of the LORD out of Shiloh to us, that, when it comes among us, it may save us
out of the hand of our enemies.” (v.3)
Here in
chapter 4 the Israelites had gone to war against the Philistines on their own
accord to liberate themselves without seeking God’s will. Upon their defeat,
they then blame God for it. But, Instead of
humbling themselves and purging themselves from their sins (the very reason for which
God was displeased with them), they put their trust in a ceremonial object, not
doubting that the very presence of the ark would give them the victory.
This
should remind us that God wants His people to look to Him. He wants us to give
glory to Him, not some object or program. His desire is that we become
Spirit-led each and every day, that we might follow His lead, His direction, His victorious plan for our lives.
The
Israelites had put their trust in a symbol instead of God and were utterly defeated. May we not do the same
but trust in Him to guide us to victory.
The
Truth
“I will
lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes
from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm
121:1)
