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I Samuel 4:3-4, 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.”  So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim. And Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

After a certain period of time passes, the Israelites find themselves in a vicious battle with the Philistines.  It is through this warfare that the House of Eli is obliterated.  So what happened?  The Israelites were losing badly, which they understood to mean that the Lord was not with them.  In response, they decide to bring the Ark of the Covenant, where the very presence of God dwelt, right onto the battlefield.  Either they thought this would scare the Philistines (which is did to a certain extent) or they thought it would strongarm God into allowing Israel the victory.  But the plan failed.  Many Israelites lost their lives, Eli’s sons were killed, the Philistines won and they stole the Ark of the Covenant.  God had his own agenda and far be it from the Israelites to think they could manipulate that.

How often have we thought we might be able to manipulate God into doing what we want?  We bargain, we beg, and we even connive.  And yet God calls us to submit, to trust him with our whole life.  Is there something in your life right now that you need to simply lay down before God?

Let’s pray…Holy God, Forgive us for always wanting what we want.  Your ways are higher and better than ours.  Where we doubt, help us trust.  We belong to you.  In Your Name, Amen.