Thursday, March 16, 2023

DAGON FALLEN

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 5-6

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

This is some of the landscape that the Children of Israel of would have beheld as they sojourned in the desert before entering the Promised Land. This is Timna National Park in Southern Israel.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 6:20

And the men of Beth Shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? And to whom shall it go up from us?”

In today’s reading we learn of the different ways of handling the Ark of the Covenant. First, the Philistines of Ashdod offended God, and then the Israelites of Beth Shemesh, who knew better, treated the Ark as an article of curiosity, failing to respect the symbol of God’s Presence as Moses had instructed them. The Philistines may have thought they were honouring the God of Israel by placing the Ark in the Temple of Dagon, but instead they abused Him. They failed to understand that God does not share worship with an idol. We can look up in our Bibles the proper way to handle the Ark. The people to whom the cattle brought the ark may not have had immediate access to the scrolls with the instructions. Ignorance, in this case, was no excuse.
We have the assurance that since Jesus came, we can stand before God with reverence, worshipping Him. We must not take Him for granted or presume upon His mercy. It’s true that Jesus changed our approach to God. The excruciating suffering and death of Christ is ample proof that our holy God is outraged by sin in all its forms. We throw ourselves on His grace and mercy.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I come boldly to Your throne of grace. According to Your Word in Hebrews 4:16, I receive mercy and find grace in my time of need. Please help me to always approach You with all reverence and total respect, knowing that Jesus, our great High Priest, has gone before me with His blood sprinkled on the Mercy Seat of the Ark in the heavens. In His Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I lived on my uncle’s farm for six years while my Dad was away from our family during WW2. Three years after his return, Dad accepted a call to two rural congregations filled with farmers. I spent much time on their farms, learning all about cattle, and then I worked full time on farms for five summers. I know first-hand that the natural way for a cow that has just given birth to a calf to behave is to remain beside that calf. What we read about today is not natural but supernatural. God always retains the right to intervene, changing patterns of behaviour to bring about His purposes. Animals are not made in God’s image as humans are. They function by pre-programmed instinct. I’ve learned that I am not like that. I must deliberately give my will over to God’s will, obeying His instructions. When I decide to follow Him, I know that supernatural provision for my journey will be provided as I go.

Yours for decisions to follow God’s instructions more closely,

David

The Ark of the Covenant, as depicted in a replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle at Timna Park in Israel.

7 thoughts on “Thursday, March 16, 2023

  1. We are still living in times of spiritual warfare. I thank God for all those choosing to serve the Living God.

    Father, You know those who are Yours. Bless each one and give them the strength to live as good and faithful servants of the Most High God, in Jesus’ matchless name, amen

    A message from Calvin Robinson worth listening to:
    https://youtu.be/E-JKJynLvK8

  2. Amen.If you don’t feel or recognize the spiritual warfare then maybe the enemy does not see you as any threat?We have the holy spirit living in us as our seal so the enemy may knock us down but it is He who helps us up again.Praise God,amen.
    Our Infection

    In the darkest shadows of our minds
    Is where we lock our sins away
    But He sees what His light finds,
    For He sees shadows as bright as day.

    In our closet are hidden from us
    What we can not fight on our own,
    But there is One called Jesus
    Who has the brightest light ever known.

    This light is free,from a ransom paid,
    To all those who will take His name,
    For in His torment He made
    A sacrifice when He had no blame.

    He knew,back then,of our infection
    And of the power we denied,
    So ignoring rejection,
    He left us the grace we had defied.
    (G.W.)Bill Marshall/11 July, 2016

  3. Please God, may everyone come to believe in Jesus Christ as
    their personal Saviour and friend, in Jesus’ Holy Name I pray, Amen.

    To God be the Praise and Glory forever, Amen.

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