READING: 1 Samuel 4-8
“So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated.”
1 Samuel 4:10
I wonder if I ever treat God as if He were a “magic charm.” I hope that I don’t, but today’s reading makes me wonder.
The Hebrews had lost a battle to the Philistines, and 4000 of their men perished in the conflict. The leaders of Israel determined that the problem was that they didn’t have the Ark of the Covenant with them, so they sent for it in Shiloh. They believed that its presence would bring victory: “Let’s bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh. Then it will go with us and save us from our enemies” (1 Sam. 4:3). It’s possible that “it” in this text refers to God, but either way, the people assumed that the ark’s presence would be the difference between victory and defeat. The Philistines apparently believed something similar, as they feared that a god had entered the Israelite camp when the ark arrived.
Thus, the Philistine victory over the Hebrews—a victory that included the Philistines capturing “the ark of God” (1 Sam. 4:11)—must have surprised both groups. Whatever each believed, the presence of the ark was not sufficient for the Hebrews to win the battle. Thirty-thousand of the Israelite foot soldiers died, and “each man fled to his tent” (1 Sam. 4:10). God would not allow them to treat Him as a good luck charm or reduce Him to a thing.
Here, then, are some of my questions. Do I ever assume that if I say the right words in a prayer that I’ll guarantee my answer? Do I ever treat fasting as a “magic bullet” to secure God’s response? Do I ever turn to the Word only to find an answer, but without having regularly been in the Word – almost like the person who drops the Bible on the floor and trusts that it will open to an answer? I again pray that I don’t operate in such ways, but the caution is nevertheless a needed one. God is not a magical charm to be manipulated; He’s the holy Creator and Redeemer, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
ACTION STEPS:
- Ask yourself the same question I’m asking: “Do I ever treat God like a magic charm?”
- Seek God.
PRAYER: “God, I want You more than anything. If victory comes, let it be because You are with me.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Samuel 9-12
