Day1
Week7
1 Samuel
“And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. And Israel went out to battle against the Philistines and they made camp beside Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped in Aphek. The Philistines arrayed themselves in a battle line against Israel, and when the battle was over, Israel was beaten before the Philistines, who struck down on the field of battle about four thousand men. When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord struck us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh to us, that it might come among us and rescue us out of the hand of our enemies.” So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of Hosts, who dwells above the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.”
1 Samuel 4:1-4 MEV
Cross references
1Samuel 3:11;
Joshua 7:5–8;
Exodus 25:22;
Psalm 99:1
Something Is Missing
Last week we discovered how God honored Samuel before the people. He made it clear that He chose Samuel.
The text tells us that the elders in the camp were afraid and decided among themselves that they needed the Ark of the covenant of the Lord to be brought into the camp.
Did they seek God about this decision?
Not according to the text.
They questioned among themselves why God let this disaster happen?️
Have you ever done that?
Men were sent to Shiloh to get the Ark.
Eli, Hophni and Phineas were there with the Ark.
Again, did anyone ask God if this was a good idea?
Did anyone ask Samuel, who had been proven to hear from God?
It seems that God is missing in this equation.
Is God missing in your equation?
Are you relying on your own human reasoning to figure out what to do in your life?
The Ark of the Covenant was an object where God would manifest His presence.
The people trusted in the object more than the person of God.
Action Step
In your prayer time, ask God to reveal to you any object that you may be trusting in above Him.
It may be your pastor or your church building or your job or …….
Is something missing?
Invite Him into your heart and into all your decisions.
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