PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 1 Samuel 5-6
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God?” (1 Samuel 6:20)
God cannot be tamed or controlled for our purposes.
Israel thought God’s ‘ark’ would guarantee victory in battle.
The Philistines thought God’s ‘ark’ would submit to their god.
No one was able to handle God, for God can’t be handled.
God is not our good luck charm, keeping us from all harm.
God is not our guarantee of success for all our dreams.
Many people treat God like the Israelites and Philistines.
They use God when and how they prefer, like a heavenly butler.
Religion is our attempt to manipulate God for our benefit.
God wants a loving relationship with us, not to be used by us.
God is not building our kingdoms, but restoring His good kingdom.
Like Jesus, we need to submit and trust God with our lives.
With Jesus, we are able to stand in the presence of this holy God!
Do I submit my life to God, or expect God to submit to my life?
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for thinking that you are the way to get what I want. With you I pray, ‘Not as I want, but your will be done!’
Though the Ark is a material artifact – it represented God’s desire to be present among his people. People of all nations needed to honour and respect God – when they didn’t they were penalized. The Philistines experienced it and learned to respect God and so did the people of Beth Shemesh. No one can contain God! “Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God? We are sinful people – we need to be humbled and come with a genuine contrite spirit – knowing full well we do not deserve to even being listened to by God. Yet through Jesus He is also our loving Father – who cares about us. I want to respect Him and worship Him and I need to do that in truth and honesty – knowing that I don’t deserve his mercy and grace but yet receive it by Jesus!
Once again I am reminded of what a mighty God we serve. The Philistines were reminded what the Lord had done to the Egyptians. That they believed but when their idol fell before the ark of God they had hardened hearts. Open my eyes Lord that I see Your presence in the daily affairs of life. This is Your world. Help me daily to see You and serve You.
Open the eyes of my heart Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see you
I want to see you
Open the eyes of my heart Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see you
I want to see you
To see you high and lifted up
Shinin’ in the light of Your glory
Pour out your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy