Tuesday, April 5, 2016

1 Samuel 6 - God Returns

After seven months of absolute misery the Philistines determine that holding the Ark of the Covenant is the cause of their troubles and the only way to find relief is to return the Ark to Israel. So they seek out the priests of Philistine to determine how to properly hand back the Ark to the people of Israel. The priests devise that there must be a guilt offering accompanying the Ark fashioned after the afflictions they had endured. 

They made a cart pulled by milk cows that had never been yoked and sent them on their way. If the cows found their way into Israel's territory then they would know their affliction was really from God and not chance. 

Unbelievers will use every excuse not to believe in a Creator God who is sovereign in all events. They will attribute their success to their own hands and their failures to someone else. Affliction could in their mind just be a natural course of events for which there may be no antidote. The Philistines could at any time have recognized that they were in the presence of their Creator and bowed down to worship Him, but for seven months they resisted God and wore the battle scars for it. It is futile to fight against God, but God does not force alliegience. He longs for the created man to love Him and honor Him.  

Upon return to Israel, the people were overjoyed to see the Ark returned. They removed the Ark and sacrificed the cows who brought it. Israel had been given strict procedures for handling the Ark and they violated God's command almost immediately.  God killed the men who treated the Ark so casually. We who belong to God have a responsibility to show Him the honor He deserves and not follow the world's pattern. 

We too are waiting for the Lord's return and we have our marching orders to carry on with the Lord's work until the day of His appearing. Luke 12:35-37 "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet so that when he comes and knocks they can immediate open the door for him."  While the Lord has not yet returned, our lives should be preparing for Him so that we can welcome Him. We are to manage the Lord's work here until He returns. That servant who knows the master's will and does not do it will be judged when the Master returns. 

As I look around at events all around, I see that the day for the Lord's return is nearer than ever before. Dear Christian, keep an upward look as you go through your daily tasks and be watchful and prepared for the Lord's return. I pray He will find us ready and doing His will here. 

May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him. 

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