April 04, 2014 - Friday

Start Time: 5:34 A.M.

End Time: 5:58 A.M.

Title: The Ark in Ashdod and Ekron

Scripture: 1 Samuel 5:1 – 12

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

→ After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.  Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon.  When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold.

NOTES:

Ø God’s glory causes other idols to break and fall down in His presence!  There is only One TRUE God and in His presence, all other self-proclaimed or human proclaimed gods bow down and fall before Him.  God never tolerates evil and when He is around, He exposed the fake and reveals the truth to everyone!  Everything that is not of God will come crushing down and broken and will end up bowing down before Him.  This is our Marvelous and Wonderful King!  The only One!  Thank You Jesus for in Your presence no one and nothing can hide from.  Hallelujah!  Praise Your Name forever!

→ The Lord’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity; he brought devastation on them and afflicted them with tumors.^[a] When the people of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the god of Israel must not stay here with us, because his hand is heavy on us and on Dagon our god.” So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked them, “What shall we do with the ark of the god of Israel?” They answered, “Have the ark of the god of Israel moved to Gath.” So they moved the ark of the God of Israel.  But after they had moved it, the Lord’s hand was against that city, throwing it into a great panic. He afflicted the people of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors.^[b] So they sent the ark of God to Ekron.

NOTES:

Ø God brings affliction to our enemy.  Even if He’s alone in their presence, God is able to protect Himself and attack our enemies!  Praise the Lord!  God is all powerful!  He doesn’t need us to attack our enemies, He doesn’t need our protection.  In truth, God alone can live and stand on His own without our help.  The ark of God which represents His presence during the Old Testament was captured by the enemy, yet the enemies end up getting afflicted and cursed.  This is the power of the Lord, His presence alone will destruct darkness and evil.  For He is Righteous and Holy!  Everything around Him will be purged and destroyed when they are found unholy before Him.  So even the enemy is not capable of capturing God.  That’s why Satan has always been a defeated foe.  Why?  Because he can’t stand God as his prisoner and he can’t allow God to be with His people for he will surely lose.  Satan has no way out, either way, he is always in the losing end!  Hallelujah!  Thank You Jesus for the victory always!

→As the ark of God was entering Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, “They have brought the ark of the god of Israel around to us to kill us and our people.” 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^[c]will kill us and our people.” For death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy on it. Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.

NOTES:

Ø God’s rightful place is with His people!  If God is not with His people, the enemies around Him will receive nothing but death and afflictions.  God’s rightful place is with us and nowhere else!  It is His unquestionably His rightful place and no one can disagree with it for he/she will experience God’s affliction if he/she tries to separate God from His people.  Glory to God!  God’s rightful place is with us and whoever tries to separate Him or us from Him, will surely receive death and affliction! 

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, Marvelous King, Glorious Lord and Wonderful Savior!  I am in awe of Your glory for it has the ability to crush down fake idols and reveal Your Sovereignty and greatness!  It definitely draw the line between what’s the truth and what’s not.  Thank You Jesus because I am Your child.  Thank You because Your presence brings affliction and death to my enemies.  Thank You because when someone separates You to me or me to You, You find ways to come back to me because Your rightful place is with me and mine with You alone.  Thank You Lord for this revelation.  Remind me of this always Lord.  I am touched to know that I have nowhere to go that You can’t find me because Your rightful place and my rightful place is with each other!  This shows Your everlasting love, grace and favor all over again.  Thank You Lord for Your goodness.  Let me see You by my side at all times.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!