Dec 20

“….send it not empty…” 1 Samuel 6:3

The Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant, but were in fact ‘captured’ by it and at its mercy! The Ark represented the presence of the Almighty God, and He quickly demonstrated His superiority over their idols, and His control over their land, bodies and lives. They thought they held it prisoner, but in reality God held them at ransom. The Philistines realised the only way to be rid of the plagues that were visiting their land and their population, was to remove the Ark of the Covenant from their boundaries, and to do so properly. They had enough good sense to know that entreating a favour from the ‘God of the Ark’, Who had already proven Himself powerful among them, required a genuine and sincere offering. Some, who have limited knowledge of God can find enough respect in their hearts for the divine, while sadly some who claim a relationship with Him, and go by the appellation of ‘Christian’, come into His presence ‘empty’ of anything appropriate and worthy of Him and His glory. Worse yet, at times they appear in His house, their un-repenting hearts laden with sin, rebellion and unbelief, offering only offense and affront, to the God they claim to worship! God recognises and still desires a genuine sacrifice of prayer, praise and worship. The Lord is ready and willing to bestow His blessing and favour upon all who sincerely seek to lift offer their hearts to Him, hearts full of faith, love and humility. 


http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion