I think I begin to sense the concern I may have, and that is this can become a teaching exercise more then a listening exercise. At least I see the primary connection is to listen to God speak into our life and situation, revealing His character. I can easily be tempted to write for others. Haha… my little careful rant.
For 1 Samuel 4, few things jump out at me, this morning when I heard it,
21 And she named the child nIchabod, saying, o“The glory has departed<a id="fb2-1" title="Or gone into exile; also verse 22″ href=”http://www.esvbible.org/search/1+Samuel+4/#f2-1″>2 from Israel!” because pthe ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 And she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, pfor the ark of God has been captured.”
Ichabod was very loud and kudos to the lady voice actress! The glory has left the temple, the ark is captured, and I was asking how easy it was that even the most holy things and practices with the wrong intention can become a useless idol. God refuse to play that role and have anything to do with superstition.
But tonight as I read it after a scouts sharing in lectio divina, the verse that jumped out at me was:
13 When he arrived, iEli was sitting on his seat by the road watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city and told the news, all the city cried out.
Eli it seemed KNEW the ark of God would not do any good and still he sent it out to battle knowing it will probably be captured. What was he thinking?
Well, how many times do I gamble God’s blessing will cover a ministry action or a decision or anything else knowing I am not right with God? Again, God will not play the idol of our control. He is truly a fearful and sovereign God! I best be careful to not move faster then an answered prayer of His divine will! Guys, keep me accountable when the pressures of ministry move me toward gambling. Thanks!
