As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable. And all Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord. The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh and gave messages to Samuel there at the Tabernacle. And Samuel’s words went out to all the people of Israel.

At that time Israel was at war with the Philistines. The Israelite army was camped near Ebenezer, and the Philistines were at Aphek. The Philistines attacked and defeated the army of Israel, killing 4,000 men. After the battle was over, the troops retreated to their camp, and the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?” Then they said, “Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it will save us from our enemies.” So they sent men to Shiloh to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, were also there with the Ark of the Covenant of God. When all the Israelites saw the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord coming into the camp, their shout of joy was so loud it made the ground shake! “What’s going on?” the Philistines asked. “What’s all the shouting about in the Hebrew camp?” When they were told it was because the Ark of the Lord had arrived, they panicked. “The gods have come into their camp!” they cried. “This is a disaster! We have never had to face anything like this before! Help! Who can save us from these mighty gods of Israel? They are the same gods who destroyed the Egyptians with plagues when Israel was in the wilderness. Fight as never before, Philistines! If you don’t, we will become the Hebrews’ slaves just as they have been ours! Stand up like men and fight!” So the Philistines fought desperately, and Israel was defeated again. The slaughter was great; 30,000 Israelite soldiers died that day. The survivors turned and fled to their tents. The Ark of God was captured, and Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were killed.
1 Samuel 3:19-4:11

Dear God, when I read this passage this morning I had two thoughts. First, did Hophni and Phinehas really think they had you going with them as they walked with the Ark of the Covenant? Did they think they owned you? Did they think they could act like they were acting (1 Samuel 2:12-22) and then boldly carry you into their battle? How dare they? Then, my judgmental heart started thinking about the people I think do that. They honor you with their lips but their hearts are far from you (Matthew 15:8). Do they really thinkin they are carrying you into their battles with them? Do they think just because they name you as their god (little “g” intended) they can then expect you to serve them? How dare they? That’s when your Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “You might want to ask yourself if you ever do that? In fact, have you done that this week? Where has your priority been in spending time with me this week? Are you just expecting me to do what you want, or are you serving me and worshipping me?” So I sit here this morning convicted. Thank you for that conviction.

The other thought I had was the perspective of the Philistines. If they had lost that battle they might have been able to justify the loss. But the way things turned out in 1 Samuel 5 and 6, you left no doubt that you were the God. And instead of turning to you and worshipping you–which would have been an option–they decided they didn’t want any part of you.

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I sit here this morning sorry for not spending more time with you this week. I mean, yes, I did little things here and there, but I didn’t completely submit my heart to you. Help me to do that now. Help me, oh Triune God to be the man you need me to be today. Love through me. Lead through me. Serve through me. Most importantly, draw others to yourself through me.

I pray this in your name,

Amen