This week Linda Wielinga has offered to share her reflections on the bible passages. Linda is from Port Perry, teaches art at Durham Christian High School, and is a participant in the Eastern Canada Leadership Development Network.
I Samuel 4
The message brought back to Eli while he was sitting on his chair by the road was this;
– Israel has fled the battle against the Philistines
– There has been a great slaughter
– Your two sons are dead
– The ark of God has been taken
And you think your day was bad? Wow … but then again, Eli had known this was going to happen, right? Or did he really believe God was to be feared? Well if he did not believe before, the reality finally hit him now … literally. He fell backwards and died. Then his daughter goes into labour and before she dies after giving birth she names the baby Ichabod – meaning, the glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God was taken.
Have we ever experienced the ‘glory of God’ departed from us? What a dreadful thought. Jesus, our Immanuel, God with us, has he ever departed from our midst? We may feel the torments of spiritual battle in this world, but the Lord promises to never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5). But can we leave the glory of God? If we allow our natural selves to reign instead of letting the Spirit of God reign inside us we can definitely leave no room for his presence to be there.
Ichabod … it gives a shudder when I hear that name.
It should also make me shudder to think of ever going anywhere without the presence of God in my life.
It should also make me shudder to tears to think of anyone who actually does live without his presence.
Prayer: Lord, I don’t think I could fully comprehend the terror it would be to live without your presence in my life. I am grateful for your patience, your grace, your love that pursues me despite my silly off-road adventures.
Although Samuel’s word came to all Israel, they did not live that word. Once again, the Lord speaks to His people through battle saying “Turn to me. Live in the shelter of My wings.” But the people did not hear His voice and ‘brought’ God’s presence in their midst. They thought they could manipulate God.
Once again I am reminded that it is what is on the inside that counts. The rituals, the pharisee ways do not cut it since the actions do not cut to the heart of the matter – fear God! Live for Him! It is ironic that the Philistines said “We are in trouble.” They saw that the hand of God is the Deliverer and His own received Him not. When the glory of the Lord departs from His people, what a desolate lot they be. Ruined. Forsaken. Dead.
But the story continues. God works in mysterious ways to make His people see how they should live. PTL
I am also reminded by this story that this happens again and again. Thank You Lord for historical events such as the Reformation that also tells us that we are Yours by:
Sola gratia: By grace alone.
Sola fide: By faith alone.
Sola Scriptura: By Scripture alone.
Soli Deo gloria: Glory to God alone.
Not what these hands have done
can save this guilty soul,
not what this toiling flesh has borne
can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do
can give me peace with God;
not all my prayers, and sighs, and tears
can bear my aweful load.
Thy work alone, O Christ,
can ease this weight of sin;
Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God,
can give me peace within.
Thy love to me, O God,
not mine, O Lord, to Thee,
can rid me of this dark unrest,
and set my spirit free.
Thy grace alone, O God,
to me can pardon speak;
Thy power alone, O Son of God,
can this sore bondage break.
I bless the Christ of God,
I rest on love divine,
and with unfaltering lip and heart,
I call this Saviour mine.