People put their faith in lots of different things. Some put their faith in money, believing that wealth provides security. Others put their faith in charismatic leaders, trusting them to have all the answers. Many put their faith in science and technology. The list could go on and on, but the point is, we all put our faith in something. The question is, when that moment of crisis hits, will the thing(s) you have placed your faith in actually deliver?
A hard lesson.
In I Samuel 4:1-10 the Israelites learn the hard way what happens when you put your faith in the wrong things.
Israel is at war, and it’s not going well:
The Philistines attacked and defeated the army of Israel, killing 4,000 men.
~I Samuel 4:2
After this crushing defeat they asked, “Why did the Lord allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?”
The Israelites had expected to win. Instead they were soundly beaten, losing thousands of soldiers. Why? Because they weren’t trusting in God to give them the victory, they were trusting in their own strength.
An incorrect correction.
The Israelite leaders realize they need a new approach. But rather than turn to God for help, they put their faith in an object: the Ark of the Covenant. At first it seems to work! When the Ark arrives on the scene, the Israelites are inspired, and the Philistines are terrified. The Israelites march forward, confident that this time they will be victorious. But things do not go according to plan.
So the Philistines fought desperately, and Israel was defeated again. The slaughter was great; 30,000 Israelite soldiers died that day. The survivors turned and fled to their tents.
~I Samuel 4:10
Once again, the Israelites had misplaced their faith. They failed to realize that without God, the Ark of the Covenant is nothing more than a fancy box. Israel paid a heavy price: tens-of-thousands dead, and the loss of the Ark of the Covenant.
The details about what happens to the Ark of the Covenant are found in I Samuel 5-6, but the short version is that God forces the Philistines to return it to Israel.
It then takes twenty years before Israel is finally ready to acknowledge and remedy their mistakes.
The Ark remained in Kiriath-jearim for a long time—twenty years in all. During that time all Israel mourned because it seemed the Lord had abandoned them.
~I Samuel 7:2
Getting it right.
Finally, when the Israelites are ready to listen, Samuel instructs them:
Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you want to return to the Lord with all your hearts, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Turn your hearts to the Lord and obey him alone; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.”
~I Samuel 7:3
Samuel issues a challenge and a promise to the people of Israel.
The challenge: put your faith in God alone.
The promise: God will rescue you.
Now read I Samuel 7:4-11 and see what happens when the Israelites turn back to God and put their faith in Him.
How about you?
Take a few moments to examine your own life. What are you putting your faith in?
Put your faith in God alone. Trust that He will keep the promises in His Word. When that moment of crisis hits, you can count on Him to deliver.
