1 Samuel 4
And when the people came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies” (1 Samuel 4:3).
This battle against the Philistines did not go over well for the Israelites. Not only did they lose the battle, but they lost thirty thousand soldiers along with the ark of covenant.
The ark of covenant was a representation of God’s presence. We know that God is omnipresent (Matthew 28:20, 1 Kings 8:27, Psalm 139:7-12), so a wooden chest cannot actually contain God, but it was a representation and reminder that God is always present. The Israelites brought the ark with them, out of a desire for control, in this instance in hopes it would help them win. Before you think “how silly of them to think that,” ask yourself this question: how do you try to use and manipulate God?
I often find myself thinking “if I just say the right prayer…” or “if I just pray longer or more…” or “if I’m really good with my Bible reading and journaling…” then God will do what I want. I also sometimes do the right thing and forget that I am doing it to give God glory and instead do it to make myself look better. Throughout scripture we read of people who think they have a great idea of how their life should turn out and time and time again we see that God’s way is higher. God, being the creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:16), knows what is best for us. Not only that, but He is also our Father and loves us and cares about us. As our Father, God desires a relationship with us as adopted children, not as Him being a genie and us being the master.
The Philistines recognized God’s superior power (1 Samuel 4:8), yet were unwilling to submit to Him. “We, like them, often know God is greater and deserves our submission. Yet we often resist God as well, instead of submitting to Him. Knowledge wasn’t their problem. Submitting to God was” (David Guzik, Enduring Word). We recognize God’s superior power, but choose to do things our own way and treat Him as a genie that can fix all of our problems.
Church, God’s design for the world and His purpose for us is beautiful! We serve a God who knows us deeply and desires for our good (Psalm 139:13-16, Romans 8:28). We can rest in His peace knowing that if we submit to Him, He can take us and use us for His glory. Let us seek to bring His kingdom to earth and not our own.
So again ask yourself this question: how do I try to use or manipulate God? And where in my life am I treating God more like a genie and less like a Father who cares for me?
