Living Room Study

1 Samuel 5

“Then the Philistines took the ark of God, brought it to the temple of Dagon and set it next to Dagon.  But early the next morning, when the people of Ashod got up, there was Dagon, fallen down with his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord.  They took Dagon, set him in his place again; but early the following morning, when they got up, Dagon was again fallen down with his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord; this time, the head of Dagon and both hands lay there, severed on the threshold; all that was left of Dagon was his torso.”  1 Samuel 5:2-4

In my lifetime, I have watched several major Christian leaders fall into sin, which led to public scandal and the downfall of the large ministries built on their vision & charisma. Every time this has happened, skeptics of Christianity don a coy grin and announce that God is either dead, or dying in our culture.  This was surely the mindset of the Philistines towards Israel, when they introduced the “defeated” God of Israel (the Ark) to His “conqueror”, Dagon.

What the Philistines were soon to learn, was that “the God of Israel” is actually the God of all creation!  And apart from Him, there is no god.  Furthermore, His power & agenda being accomplished is not dependant upon the worship of His followers.  It is not as if we are the “batteries” that empower the Lord.  He is not waiting on us to surge Him with worship before He can act.  He is completely independent and self-sustained. 

I believe it was Oswald Chambers who said, pertaining to Kingdom work, “God has given us a limited participation in something He doesn’t need us to do.”  

Here is our big takeaway from today’s chapter: Don’t begin to think that you can manipulate God like a lucky charm for your own convenience, and don’t think He needs you to support and carry Him.  He doesn’t need our worship…His holiness demands it, and His loving kindness accepts it.  He existed before creation and He can take care of Himself.  The only community He needs is His own tri-unity.  And in that notion is our understanding of His great love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, He sent Messiah Jesus to die for us.  Sill, if any carrying is to be done, He will carry us! 

“Bel Crouches; Nebo cowers.  Their idols are consigned to beasts and cattle.  The images you carry are loaded, as a burden for the weary animal.  The gods cower; they crouch together; they are not able to rescue the burden, but they themselves go into captivity.  Listen to Me, house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth.  I will be the same until your old age, and I will bear you up when you turn gray.  I have made you and I will carry you; I will bear and save you.”  Isaiah 46:1-4

By the way, despite the moral defeat of those high-profile Christian leaders, God is very much alive, and has not diminished in power & authority, holiness, or praiseworthiness!  There is no panic in Heaven, only planning…and with that knowledge, we trust and worship Him.

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins