Day 30

I Samuel 4-7

GOD IN A BOX

Bring the Ark of the Covenant…that…it may save us – I Sam. 4:3

            After Israel lost 4,000 soldiers in a humiliating defeat by the Philistines, they decided to take drastic measures – Let’s try God!  Well, at least that’s what they thought. They brought the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh, saying it may save us. This was not an act of faith; it was an attempt at magic.  God was reduced to an it.  Israel’s spiritual perceptions were so jaded they thought God lived in a box.  Truthfully they were so desperate they tried the box.  After all, hadn’t the Ark preceded Joshua into battle in the glory days of victory?  Get the box here as quick as we can. That will turn the tide. 

            People do crazy things when they go awhile without consulting God.  Israel tried to use God.  They had ceased to be His servants, and now tried their hand at being His Lord.  In the meantime they lost all reality of who He is.  The main lesson of this story is:  You can’t use God.  He is always there, but He is not a good luck gadget.  How frustrated people get when they call on God and discover He isn’t a bell hop.

            Things get worse when you try to take advantage of the Almighty.  Israel not only kept on losing, but the Ark got captured.  It was placed on display in a heathen temple beside the lesser gods, and finally released in ignominy being hauled across the field in an ox cart.  In the meantime the Philistines prevailed and Israel was reduced to servitude.  When they found themselves slipping Israel should have cried out to Jehovah and sought His will and wisdom.  Instead they tried to manipulate God for their purposes.

            The Ark was the place where the Glory appeared.  It was the meeting place for God and man.  It was the place where atonement was made.  It was kept in the “Holy of Holies” where only the High Priest would see it once a year.  When God commanded, it was taken to battle in the midst of praise and worship.  When the battle was won everyone knew it was God’s victory, because it was God’s battle.

            We keep on losing our battles when we reduce God to an object.  Our crosses, relics, and bumper stickers can’t deliver.  At best they are reminders of the living Christ Who lives to make intercession for us.  When you’re down for the count, get on your face. Stay in His presence until the Holy Spirit prays through you.  The Spirit knows your weaknesses and makes intercession… according to the will of God (Rom. 8:27).  When you’re tempted to use God, ask God to use you.

Face down,