I Sam 4-8 The need for a physical presence

March 28th, I Samuel 4-8

       There is something about this need we all have for a physical presence. It makes sense, you and I were made to live in the garden. A perfect place where God visits us in the cool of the evening, and everything that happened during the day can melt away in the presence of God almighty, physically being with us. But the fall happened and that has set forth in motion this need in us, a manifestation of the physical presence of something, anything.
       We see this twice in our story today. The first instance is during battle with the Philistines. The israelites determine they need to bring in their lucky rabbits(I've always thought it was funny that this foot was obviously not lucky for the rabbit!!). Anyway they call in the physical presence of the Ark of the Covenant. This physical "thing" is going to save us. In this instance, they didn't call on God, they needed a "thing" to save them.
       Since they didn't ask for God's help, he didn't offer and the Ark was taken by the Philistines. It gave them so much trouble, after 7 months they gave the thing back. How much are we in need of a physical thing to create a sense of wellness in us. God encourages the use of symbols because they help us remember, but we can errantly think that a cross is more valuable than the message of it and forget the Ark, the Cross only have power when God comes.
       The second time we see this issue of physical presence is Israel beginning to demand a king. It's really the same statement as above, I need a physical person to be my leader. Samuel goes to great length to warn people what they will get with a king. It's a great read, I highly suggest it. But people want what they want and God sometimes grants what we want, so be careful what you wish for!
       All of this should bring an understanding to us today, we live with this strong desire for an ability to see what we worship. While we live here on earth their will always be a sense of being incomplete. We must be careful to keep ourselves from rushing in to the worship of something we can see that is not God. Being mindful of our weakness helps us pursue... God, not an Ark, Jesus, not a cross. Symbols are okay, they're just not God. Let's remember to worship Him this week.