Ark of the Covenant

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1 Chronicles 13:3 Bringing Back God’s Presence

Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul. 1 Chronicles 13:3

In today’s society most people seek for information on just about anything by using ‘Google’. There is nearly no information that may be needed that cannot be found through this internet platform.

If it was to be taken away, most people would feel lost when trying to find out about anything that they feel they need to know about. Work would be done to bring it back.

During the time of King Saul, the ark of the covenant of God had been taken by the Philistines. David told the people that they needed to bring it back since they had not asked of it during the reign of Saul.

The ark of the covenant of God was used by the Israelites as a place for God’s presence to be. The high priests would go before it to seek God’s direction for the nation. At some point in history, it was taken and most likely destroyed, but either way it has never been found again.

Instead of going before an ark, today believers can have God’s Holy Spirit in them, and they can speak directly to God no matter where they are.

Although believers can have God’s presence with them at all times, many do not take the time to inquire of God. They make choices on their own and seek advice from ‘Google’ and other people. Many in the church are treating God like Saul treated the ark of the covenant, having Him, but not going to Him for directions.

Believers need to seek out God’s advice and heed it each day. They have become the carrier of God’s presence and Holy Spirit that is with them at all times.

On a regular basis you will need some advice and direction in your life. Instead of running to the things of the world and seeking the world’s advice, seek God’s advice. As a believer, God is now living in you and with you wherever you will go. He will never leave you, nor forsake you and is willing to guide you throughout your life.

Do not live your life like Saul but bring back God’s presence into your life as David did. Be the carrier of God’s presence as God has called you to be.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know God’s presence in your life; that you will seek all of your needed directions from God; that you will trust God’s directions for your life; and that the world will see you know and trust God with your life.

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2 Samuel 6:7 Acting Irreverently

The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God. 2 Samuel 6:7

In places of extreme high honor, people are expected to act with good honor and respect. When a person is meeting with a high-level dignitary, either in the government or a business, they are expected to dress and act in certain ways. It brings honor and respect to those whom it is due. Doing or saying anything out of place will often get them quickly removed and possibly more.

As the ark of the covenant was brought back to Israel, Uzzah touched it, a forbidden act. God became angry and struck him down for that irreverent act.

During the Old Testament times, the ark of the covenant was the place of God’s dwelling among the people. Since Jesus came the place of God’s dwelling has changed. It is no longer with the ark of the covenant, but in the hearts and lives of people.

Sins of a person are taken away so that he can be holy and set apart for God and be a place for God to dwell within. God has made a new covenant with each person and written His laws upon their hearts just as the ten commandments were placed in the ark of the covenant.

Although believers are now to be holy and treated as such, many will treat it with irreverent acts. They mar and harm the body in ways that disrespects what God has done in their lives.

Not only is this the case for their physical bodies, but it is also the same with the body of Christ, the church. There is disrespect for leaders in the church. Believers are to treat all things of God with respect and not as the world does.

God has placed Himself and His things in your life and all around you. As a believer, you are now the dwelling place for God. You must be willing to treat yourself and those things and people He has placed in your life with reverence.

Do not allow yourself to be like the world and treat your life and others with disrespect and irreverent acts. Although God may not strike you down dead, He may lift His hand of favor off of your life with these acts.

Live holy as God is holy.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know what God has placed in your life that is His; that you will know God is dwelling inside of you; and that you will treat the things of God with respect and honor.

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1 Samuel 5:11 Recognizing God’s Judgement

So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and said, “Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it will kill us and our people.” For death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy on it. 1 Samuel 5:11

When disasters or hard times comes upon most people, they feel it is bad luck or bad choices that has brought those times upon them. Very seldom do people search for a deeper meaning or reason to the problems that they are facing. Everything is taken at face value.

The Philistines had captured the ark of the covenant from the Israelites. Everywhere the ark was kept, there was disaster and death. The people wanted ark sent back, knowing God’s hand was against them.

God is always at work striving to get people to turn to Him and recognize their need for Jesus. His love for people is so great that He will use whatever means necessary to accomplish that goal.

There are times when a believer begins to step into sin and turning away from God, that God brings on some struggles to get his attention and draw him back. In the same way as the world sees a bad situation, many believers see the negative situation as bad luck. Many will even get angry with God for being harsh on them and allowing bad times to occur.

Rather than getting angry with God, one should see if there is sin in his life and turn back to God. He may also seek if it is just God allowing him to be tested to see where his heart is. Believers need to recognize the hand of God in every situation. Then seek to do God’s will.

God uses every situation for your benefit. It is either to get your attention or to reward you. Allow God to open your eyes to what He is doing in your life and how to react to it. Judgment may occur in this life to turn your heart back towards Him and get rid of some sin in your life.

There may be a need for you to repent and change some ways. Or there may be a need to hold on tighter to God to pass the test.

Do you recognize God’s hand in your situation?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will see God working in your life; that God will strengthen you to turn from all sin; that you will live for God in every area of your life; and that you will give your whole life to God’s use.

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1 Samuel 4:22 Has The Glory Departed?

She said, “The Glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” 1 Samuel 4:22

Major sports teams have often done very well due to a specific player or coach on the team. For a time they do extremely well, until that one person leaves the team for some reason. Then suddenly all their glory appears to fall away. What was holding them together and giving them victory had left, leaving them nothing.

People can recognize when something has changed and the glory has left. It leaves them empty, confused and desiring the former glory.

The ark of the covenant had been captured by the Philistines. Eli, the high priest, and his two sons had died. His daughter-in-law gave birth and said that the Glory had departed from Israel, since the ark of God was captured.

During the Old Testament times, the ark of the covenant was the place where God dwelt and met with man. When it was captured or gone, it was a sign that God had departed.

Although the ark is no longer in existence, there is a new ark where God dwells. It is in the hearts of men and women who have repented of their sins and chosen to follow Him. As long as a person believes in, obeys and follows God, He will dwell in his heart.

Sadly, many believers have allowed their hearts to be captured by the world. Instead of following God with all of their heart, many choose to follow the ways of the world and allow sin in their heart and life.

God and sin cannot dwell in the same place. It is one or the other. If the believer does not repent and allow God to remove the sin, God will depart. He will lift His hand of favor off of the person to get his attention.

The moment you chose to believe in and follow Jesus, God set up His throne in your heart. His glory was upon you to bless you and keep you.

If you have chosen to sin against God and refuse to repent, His glory will depart. God does not want to leave but cannot stay where He is not welcome.

Strive to keep your heart right with God. Allow God to be Lord and Master over your heart.

Ask yourself if the Glory has departed your life?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will serve God with all of your heart; that you will make room for God in your heart and life all the time; and that God will give you strength to keep your heart from being captured by sin and the ways of this world.

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Joshua 3:3 Led By God’s Word And Worship

giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.” Joshua 3:3

Very few people will blaze a new trail into a completely unknown territory. When traveling to a new place, most people will follow someone else’s path or directions.

Depending upon whose directions one is following, will depend upon how well the travel will go and whether one will actually get to the desired destination or not. There are many who will lead a person incorrectly down the wrong path.

Joshua had the people told that when they see the ark of the covenant and the priests carrying it set out, they are to follow it across the river.

There are many different types of map programs that a person can use to be given directions on how to get from one location to another. Some are very detailed and reliable, while others are less detailed and not as reliable.

Every person is on a journey throughout their life. Each person has to choose how he will be led through this journey. The world tries to say that there are many different ways to get to heaven, however God says that there is only one way.

In His infinite wisdom, God has given believers His word in the Bible to guide them on their journey just as the Israelites had the ark of the covenant to lead them. The Bible gives all the needed details as to how to live for God and complete the journey.

As believers are traveling along that path, they are also to worship God, as the Israelites did with being led by the Levites. Worship gives God praise for what He is doing.

Being led by God’s word and worship will open doors for God to open the pathway through the river of life.

In your journey through this life, you will be following a path of some sort that someone has blazed. Do not allow yourself to be caught up in following the path of the world but follow the path God has for you.

Search through His word how you are to live your life. Then as you are traveling give God praise and worship Him for what He has done and is doing. Allow His word and worship to lead you through the river.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will allow God’s word to guide your every action and move; that you will worship God with every step and breath you take; and that you will see the path God has for you to take.