READING: 1 Samuel 4-8, Luke 16
The story is both powerful and almost comical at the same time. The ark of God rested next to the statue of Dagon, the Philistine god, in the temple built to honor him. I suspect the people weren’t even considering what would happen the next morning. When the people arose the next morning, the statue of Dagon was fallen on his face before the ark in a position of submission. The people picked up their god again and stood him erect (and, by the way, what kind of god is it that his followers can pick him up and move him around . . . and who can’t protect himself from other powers?). The next morning he was on the ground again, except his head and hands were separated from his torso now. Then, their god on the ground could not protect the Philistines from the Lord’s hand.
How powerful the God of the Bible is! And, just how weak are the false gods of the world—those who, in fact, are not God at all? All around the world are people following false gods whose statues are no match for the true God. May He use us and others to get the gospel to them!
PRAYER: “God, I thank You for Your power. You are all-powerful.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Pray today for missionaries around the world.
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Samuel 9-12, Luke 17