April 8, 2017: SOAP #2683: 1Samuel 3-5; Psalm 77; 2Corinthians 8

Scripture:  1Samuel (NIV) 5:1 After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.  2 Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon.  3 When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! They took Dagon and put him back in his place.  4 But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained.

Observation:   The Israelites had brought the Ark of the Covenant from its place in the Holiest of Holies to the battlefield.  In this way, they felt there was no way they could lose.  But God could not honor their desire because of sin.   30,000 Israelites died that day, but the greatest loss was that the Ark was captured by the Philistines!   What a great defeat!

But it was Israel that was defeated, not God.  God was not defeated that day.  The Ark of the Covenant was placed in Dagon’s temple and its presence brought glory to God.  The remaining verses in this chapter give further victories God won in the land of the Philistines.

Application:    Clearly God’s desire is to be glorified in the victories he brings for His people.  However, when His people persist in sin, God can be glorified in their defeat.  We must never forget:  God IS God!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, You are far above the conflicts we face in this world.  Help me live my life in such a way that you can be glorified in the victories you help me win.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!