Passage to Ponder: 1 Samuel 4:1-22
After the battle was over, the troops retreated to their camp, and the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the LORD allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?” Then they said, “Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it will save us from our enemies.” -1 Samuel 4:3 (NLT)
In the last devotional I wrote that trust is “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, and truth of God.” Do you remember the truth I asked you to file in your heart? “Trust is based upon who and what you know, not what you feel.” You are always trusting in someone or something, even when you think you are not! Some people trust themselves—their health and intellect. Some trust their possessions and money. Some trust false gods. Some trust the Lord. Who or what are you trusting?
There is another thing in which people trust that I didn’t mention in the preceding paragraph. That thing is religion. We need to be careful we really are trusting in God, not religion. There was a wicked man named Eli who held the office of high priest in Israel. He was very religious but corrupt to the core. His sons were just as bad. God had even warned Eli to repent and turn back to Him. If Eli and the boys didn’t start trusting the Lord, they were going to die. Yet, these men would not listen to God’s call. They loved their religion which gave them the appearance of doing good, appropriation of good things, and an alibi for their sins. That’s the allure of religion…appearance, appropriation, alibis. None of those things are of God.
We see their religion on full display in one of the darkest days of Israel’s history. The Israelites had just been defeated in battle against the Philistines. They were dismayed because they thought defeat was impossible since they were God’s chosen ones. In verse 3 we see religion in action. The elders of Israel ask, “Why did the LORD allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?” Then someone had this idea: “Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it will save us from our enemies.”
Eli and his sons seem to agree because they allow the Ark of the Covenant to be taken from the Tabernacle and carried into battle. I hope you noticed this little part of verse 3: “…it will save us…” They were trusting “it” instead of the God who gave “it” to them. In the end, they lost “it” as the Philistines won the battle and took the Ark.
Religion leads you to trust in relics…whether it be the Ark or your good deeds. There was nothing wrong in the ancients having the Ark. And, it is fantastic to do good things. But don’t put your trust in doing good things. When you do that, you are trusting in yourself. Put your assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, and truth of God. Don’t carry your Ark into battle. Let God go before you and fight the battle as you rely on His character, ability, strength, and truth! Then you can be assured of the victory!
There is another thing in which people trust that I didn’t mention in the preceding paragraph. That thing is religion. We need to be careful we really are trusting in God, not religion. There was a wicked man named Eli who held the office of high priest in Israel. He was very religious but corrupt to the core. His sons were just as bad. God had even warned Eli to repent and turn back to Him. If Eli and the boys didn’t start trusting the Lord, they were going to die. Yet, these men would not listen to God’s call. They loved their religion which gave them the appearance of doing good, appropriation of good things, and an alibi for their sins. That’s the allure of religion…appearance, appropriation, alibis. None of those things are of God.
We see their religion on full display in one of the darkest days of Israel’s history. The Israelites had just been defeated in battle against the Philistines. They were dismayed because they thought defeat was impossible since they were God’s chosen ones. In verse 3 we see religion in action. The elders of Israel ask, “Why did the LORD allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?” Then someone had this idea: “Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it will save us from our enemies.”
Eli and his sons seem to agree because they allow the Ark of the Covenant to be taken from the Tabernacle and carried into battle. I hope you noticed this little part of verse 3: “…it will save us…” They were trusting “it” instead of the God who gave “it” to them. In the end, they lost “it” as the Philistines won the battle and took the Ark.
Religion leads you to trust in relics…whether it be the Ark or your good deeds. There was nothing wrong in the ancients having the Ark. And, it is fantastic to do good things. But don’t put your trust in doing good things. When you do that, you are trusting in yourself. Put your assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, and truth of God. Don’t carry your Ark into battle. Let God go before you and fight the battle as you rely on His character, ability, strength, and truth! Then you can be assured of the victory!
Love,
Pastor Larry
Pastor Larry
(This is from a series of devotionals written during our time of restricted meetings and activities due to the coronavirus.)
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