May 11, 2024 – 1 Samuel 5:6-12

May 11, 2024 – 1 Samuel 5:6-12

6  The hand of the LORD was heavy against the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory.  7  And when the men of Ashdod saw how things were, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, for his hand is hard against us and against Dagon our god.”  8  So they sent and gathered

together all the lords of the Philistines and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” They answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be brought around to Gath.” So they brought the ark of the God of Israel there.  9  But after they had brought it  around, the hand of the LORD was against the city, causing a very great panic, and he afflicted the men of the city, both young and old, so that tumors broke out on them.  10  So

they sent the ark of God to Ekron. But as soon as the ark of God came to Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, “They have brought around to us the ark of the God of Israel to kill us and our people.”  11  They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, that it may not kill us and our people.” For there was a deathly panic throughout the whole city. The hand of God was very heavy there.  12  The men who did

not die were struck with tumors, and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

 

God was relentless as he dealt with the Philistines.  He showed them the errors of their ways in taking the ark and punished them.  Now they wanted to get rid of the ark thinking it would free them of their misery.  But, they continued to worship Dagan and refused to seek God.  Are their matters in your life that weigh you down and keep you from a closer walk with Christ?  If we’re honest with ourselves, most of us struggle with issues that take our eyes off of Christ.  “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of life will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.” What a wonderful reminder this hymn gives us as we seek God’s heart and face, and strive to glorify him in our daily lives.  

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