1 Samuel 4:3 

New International Version (NIV)

When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that He may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.”

For Meditation

God is not a “second thought” God. He is premier in all things. Therefore, He must be our primary focus and consideration in everything we do. He’s not our servant to mop after our mess. Christ is our Lord and God. He waits for us to begin everything with Him and end with Him. That way, He can prevent our mess before they happen.

1. How many times do we have to subject ourselves to defeat and disappointment before we remember the One who leads us in battle (2 Chron. 20:15)?
2. How could the Ark of the Covenant God be without manifest Presence of God?
3. Do you see what sin could do in our lives? Do you see how the sins of Israel dulled their sensitivity and need for Him?
4. Can you imagine how uncomfortable they may have felt when someone may have reminded them to consult the Lord before embarking on the war with the Philistines (1 Sam. 4:1-3)?
5. But, do you see how quickly they ran to bring the ark when their butts were whipped by the Philistines (3)? Was God their object of worship or the ark?

I pray you’ll remember that God is and should always be the object of our worship and not things, even when He has designated them to signify His presence. Therefore, He should never be an “afterthought” under any circumstance. He is holy and demands holiness in all vessels that are devoted to Him (1 Pt. 1:15-16). His manifest Presence dwells only in sanctified vessels. He leaves when His people choose to live for themselves, satisfying the cravings of their flesh. He taught this lesson to Israel in a bitter and painful way in their war with the Philistines (1 Sam. 4:10-11).

In like manner, Samson followed his fleshly desires and still thought that the Lord would be with him in his mess with Delilah. He learned his lesson too late (Judges 16:20-22).

May you not be like Israel and Samson; but may you keep yourself pure and in short account with the Lord Jesus Christ, staying close to His heart in total obedience.

Shalom