17/05/2017 - WHEN JOY IS NOT SUFFICIENT

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And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook. 1 Samuel 4:5

The Philistines were perpetual enemies of Israel! They prepared themselves over the years to harm Israel, the people of God. What they desired was to destroy the seed from where the Messiah was coming, proving that behind their hatred was the prince of darkness. Any animosity against the servant of the Lord, has its source in Satan. Salvation for humanity was the main object or goal, although the Philistine didn’t know they were being used by the devil to obstruct this work.   

The moment Hannah decided to not accept her barrenness, she was being instrumental in the hands of the Most High, so that the light would not burn out in Israel. The provocation of Elkanah’s other wife – Peninnah – led Hannah to take drastic measures which would give birth to Samuel. After all, with the deterioration of Eli’s descendants the nation could come to an end. There are many sterile women who must fight for their maternity.

Sin wipes out dreams, destroys morale and lives, leads people back to the devil´s captivity, shames the faith warriors and stains the work of God. But still, there are many people who prefer to be defendants at the eternal judgment than to serve God. Many sinners, instead of repenting and confessing what happened, they close themselves in their ways, forgetting that this will take them to be judged on the final Day when they will be sentenced to eternal condemnation.  

Why be a part or a company to Achan which brought about Israel’s defeat before the tiny village of Ai? (read Joshua 7). Why allow the Earth to be opened up and swallow you and your family alive, as happened to Dathan, Korah, and Abiram (Deuteronomy 11:6). Why lie and fall dead at the apostles’ feet as occurred with Ananias and Sapphira and so many others that insisted in serving Satan? (read Acts 5). Was betraying the Master for thirty pieces of silver a good thing for Judas? (Matthew 26:15)

Israel was defeated in their first battle with the Philistines. The Israelites had set camp at Ebenezer – which means “the Lord helped us until here” – and they didn’t know that God would not help them while sin remained with their priests. Eli did not censure his sons that abused of the offerings and of women. For this reason God would not hand them their victory over the adversary until they sanctified themselves. What a lesson! Why follow the wrong path for no reason?

The elders of Israel did not consult the Lord, to discover the reason for their defeat and they ask to bring the Lord’s ark. On seeing the ark in their midst, the Israelite soldiers rejoiced in such a tremendous way that their sound filled the whole Earth. The Philistines were frightened and prepared themselves for the worst, trying hard not to be defeated, as the sound of jubilee of the soldiers of Israel left them highly frightened. However, joy alone is not always enough. It is also necessary to be a servant to be honored.

Even having the ark, Israel was wounded by their enemies. Sin is a grave and serious matter. Those who practice sin will be responsible for the defeat of the holy people. How many will pass up conversion, healing, prosperity and hinder the spread of the Gospel’s work in the world, due to sin among the member of the congregation or in its leaders? Mercy, dear Lord!

In Christ, with love, 

R. R. Soares