AWAKE BIBLE IN A YEAR APRIL 3
Read 1 Samuel 4-8
In 1 Sam 4:5 Israel shouts and the earth shakes when they bring in the ARK OF THE LORD’S COVENANT… YET this does not change the outcome in the battle. Eli’s sons die, Eli falls and breaks his neck and he dies. The glory of GOD has left.
What a striking contrast to the upperroom in Acts 2 and in Acts 4 ‘And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God with boldness.’
God’s presence and glory is everything. GOD IS WHAT WE NEED. We read on in 1 Samuel how the Philistines come to fear the ARK when Dagon falls down before the ARK, and tumors breakout on all the people. God needs no physical army to strike respect and fear into their enemies. HE IS GOD and HIS presence alone does it. The Philistines fear GOD.
The loudness of men, the hoorah of an army can’t imitate the power of GOD. And when God in flesh comes to Jerusalem to save her HE comes meekly, humbly, and full of gentleness. AND still THEY miss HIM. I don’t want to miss the small doors, the quiet opportunities.
Consider the gentle Christ riding in on a colt. ‘and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.’ Luke 19:42
Additional thoughts:
1 Sam 6 the ark of God is transported back to Israel by cattle rather than the way it is supposed to be—I draw attention to this because later when King David tries to bring the ark of God to the house of the Lord he uses cattle—and a man dies —this is the first time ‘cow 🐄 transport’ is used for God’s ark.
The way the secular operate is not the same, as God’s way. Praying we do it God’s way.
