SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 4
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the LORD bring defeat upon us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the LORD’s covenant from Shiloh, so that it may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.” [1 Samuel 4:3] A common mistake for many people is to connect the divine to natural objects – this is idolatry. There is a fine line between symbolism and idolatry, and many hearts slips from helpful symbolism to harmful idolatry. The symbol of a cross, for example, soon becomes a good luck charm. The Israelites confused the object of the ark (the golden box that symbolized God’s presence with them) with the reality of God Himself. The Philistines made the same mistake [1 Samuel 4:6-9]. To their surprise, the golden box did not contain God.
Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem… Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. [John 4:20-21,23] The same issue arises with places of worship. In Jerusalem, or on Mt. Gerezim? As if the temple, or the altar, or the ark, or the priest, or any other religious object, contains God. In helpful ways these objects can symbolize God’s reality and presence all around us, but they are not guarantees. God desires our hearts to respond to Him, wherever we are, not just to the symbols.
Today people think they need to be more ‘holy’ or ‘respectful’ when they enter a church, or are with a minister, as if God is tied to these symbols. I am not saying we can disdain religious symbols; but I see these symbols as reminders that we should always strive to be ‘holy’ and ‘respectful’, wherever we are, with everyone! The entire earth is His sanctuary, we cannot contain Him in a house or box. I am not more respectable because I am a minister; we are all respectable because we are God’s children!
Having the ark would not change the Israelites fortune in battle, since the deeper issue was their lifestyle rebellion against God. Going to church will not improve our fortune, if Monday through Friday we ignore Him. Carrying a cross or a bible will not keep us safer. They may help remind us of His ongoing presence, but if we ignore and disobey Him, these symbols won’t make a difference.
PRAYER:
Lord, every place, every person, every object around me, every moment of the day, is sacred, reminding me of Your constant presence and love.