Scripture
"When the ark of the LORD’s covenant came into the camp, all Israel raised such a great shout that the ground shook." (1 Samuel 4:5)
Observation
The people of Israel needed a pick me up, something to rally around as they were getting their butts kicked by the Philistines.
As they were waiting on a miracle they got a bright idea! “Let’s bring out the ark!” So, they did.
Then they got all excited, rallying around their precious ark. They made so much noise that the ground shook and their enemies took notice.
But their excitement didn’t last...and that’s why they lost the ark.
Moral of the story: Don’t wait on a miracle and look to things to get you excited. Walk in the miracle that God is on your side and be excited about that all the time.
Application
As we move into Holy Week and the celebration of Resurrection Sunday, everyone’s a little more on point and locked in. Can you imagine if we treated every weekend like Easter? Every day for that matter? Now don’t get me wrong, I get it and I’m with it. We are after the “C.E.O.’s”, the “Christmas – Easter - Only” people. Churches around the world pull out all the stops cause the Gospel is worthy and salvation through Jesus is the most eternal decision one can ever make; and Easter is one of those times when people are a little more inclined to spend a moment with Jesus.
Today I’m reminded to stay excited all the time, because God is good all the time and all the time God is good. I’m reminded to not wait on the miracle that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but to walk in the miracle that He is my Lord, He is my Savior, He is my soon and coming King, and He is alive!
Nothing wrong in going a little harder when the stakes are higher, but I can’t fall into the trap of waiting for a miracle, waiting for something or someone to inspire me. I’ve been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and promised a future + hope, so I walk each day and approach each moment with NEW HOPE.
Prayer
Thank you Jesus for the miracles all around me which is more than enough to fire me up. I pray for the stamina to maintain momentum and the obedience to follow faithfully. Amen
