Staying In God’s Word.....

Why is it important to stay in God’s word? Because it keeps our heart close to Him. When we drift or go so far to abandon God, His presence becomes hard to find. Just because we know God doesn’t guarantee us victory in our battles. Certainly God won’t abandon us in times of need. But He May discipline us when we stray or rebel. Humility is always a sign of our closeness to God. When humility is lacking in our lives, we must examine our hearts. We will most likely find ourselves living for self, which means God isn’t our focus. Once this happens, we can no longer think God will give you victory in our battles. He may always be with us, but when we stray, He usually has a way of bringing us back. And that usually involves pain, loss, and events that humble us. In this passage we read of the Israelites fighting the Philistines. They believe they will win the battle because the Ark is in the battlefield with them. What they forget to acknowledge is the fact that their hearts are not right with God. Just because God is on a believer’s side doesn’t guarantee victory in our battles. We have to align our hearts with His, and continually pray for His protection and rescue. That’s what walking with God is all about.

At that time Israel was at war with the Philistines. The Israelite army was camped near Ebenezer, and the Philistines were at Aphek. 2 The Philistines attacked and defeated the army of Israel, killing 4 ,000 men. 3 After the battle was over, the troops retreated to their camp, and the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?” Then they said, “Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it will save us from our enemies.”4 So they sent men to Shiloh to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, were also there with the Ark of the Covenant of God. 5 When all the Israelites saw the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord coming into the camp, their shout of joy was so loud it made the ground shake!6 “What’s going on?” the Philistines asked. “What’s all the shouting about in the Hebrew camp?” When they were told it was because the Ark of the Lord had arrived, 7 they panicked. “The gods have come into their camp!” they cried. “This is a disaster! We have never had to face anything like this before! 8 Help! Who can save us from these mighty gods of Israel? They are the same gods who destroyed the Egyptians with plagues when Israel was in the wilderness. 9 Fight as never before, Philistines! If you don’t, we will become the Hebrews’ slaves just as they have been ours! Stand up like men and fight!”10 So the Philistines fought desperately, and Israel was defeated again. The slaughter was great; 30 ,000 Israelite soldiers died that day. The survivors turned and fled to their tents. 11 The Ark of God was captured, and Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were killed. 1 Samuel 4:1c-11