09/01/2024 - DESPAIR INCREASES

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Therefore they sent and gathered to themselves all the lords of the Philistines, and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” And they answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried away to Gath.” So they carried the ark of the God of Israel away. 1 Samuel 5.8

Because they lacked understanding of God’s invitation to humble themselves before His mighty hand, the Philistines didn’t know how to act (1 Peter 5.6). Many times, some people are at that same point, because they refuse to accept Jesus as their Savior. Thus, the enemy increases the evil burden on their lives. However, not even with this attack, they consider the call to be saved. Why does man engage in forbidden practices and reject salvation? Why not convert to Christ now?

The prince of Ashdod summoned four other princes, who formed the kingdom of the Philistines with him, to see the damage caused by the capture of the ark. People from all over his principality were suffering from hemorrhoids due to the presence of the ark. Nothing they did lessened their anguish, and many of them died of it. Then someone proposed going back to Gath, and the others agreed. Poor Gath! Its inhabitants would pay the price.

The suggested remedy was approved, but it wouldn’t do any good. Many propose treating drug addicts with good advice, but many remain trapped in compulsion and are a problem for society. There are places that, in an attempt to resolve this issue, legalize drugs, but this is ineffective. There is only improvement when evil is expelled from the oppressed. Advice is no use, but the Word is the right medicine (John 8.32; 17.17)!

Some unscrupulous people set up centers for the deliverance of drug addicts and others just to enrich themselves, but the problem is spiritual. So, being of the supernatural order, when one of the oppressed meets someone with divine power, he is soon freed and returns perfectly to social life. Deliverance in the Name of Jesus lasts forever, according to His Word: Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed (John 8:36).

The Lord’s orders are always fulfilled. Therefore, it is useless to go round and round to resolve the offense committed. Likewise, going to church after sinning is inefficient without genuine repentance – a necessary and good act for the transgressor to be forgiven (Acts 3:19). There are cases in which the problem will only be resolved if the offended party is also forgiven (Matthew 5.23-26). The best thing is to do good and never sin!

They didn’t think about what might happen when they took something meant for the Lord, or about God’s attitude. But God knew what to do. Now, they won the war more because of the sin of Eli’s sons than because of their own ability. Those men were paying a high price, so they invited the princes to make the right decision. However, surrounding a province with the ark and not returning it only angered God, who had ordained the making of this sacred object for a good purpose.

After surrounding Gath, they didn’t know why the plague wouldn’t stop. God is good at all times, so He taught them a lesson so that they would never again meddle in the things intended for His worship. Touching who or what has the anointing is extremely serious!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares