Christian Devotional – July 10, 2015

Read 1 Samuel chapter 4

VERSE:

1 Samuel 4:11–When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that he may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.”

TRUTH:

The Israelites had been defeated in battle and they started out asking the right question. The problem was they didn’t actually answer that question. So often we treat our plans just like that. We make a plan, go out and try it, then when it doesn’t work, we look up to God and wonder why. The people thought that they could just bring along the Ark of the Covenant and having that would ensure victory, but just because we belong to God and are His child doesn’t mean that we will succeed in everything we do. The question is, are we doing what God wants us to be doing? God will not bless anything that is contrary to His Word, no matter how hard we ask Him to. If we are following a lie and believing a lie, it doesn’t matter how much we dress it up and package it to look like it is a truth of God, He will not bless it. Are we following God’s truths today or making up our own and asking God to bless them?

RESPONSE:

Father, Your truth still stands and You will not compromise for anyone or anything. I will come to You first instead of making up my own truths and plans and trying to have You bless them. Your ways are higher than my ways and I will trust You.