MONDAY November 5, 2018

Captured and Killed

Then the man said to Eli, “I am he who came from the battle. And I fled today from the battle line.” And he said, “What happened, my son?” So the messenger answered and said, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been a great slaughter among the people. Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead; and the ark of God
has been captured.”
1 Samuel 4:16-17

Eli was told of Israel’s defeat, the death of his sons, and how the Ark of God was captured! He really did not get too upset about the news of his sons––he already knew they would be killed because of the prophecy––but he was upset when he heard about the capture of the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark of God was never to be possessed by the enemy.

I believe with all my heart that the Ark of God should have stayed in its place in the tabernacle. It should have never been taken into battle.  God’s people should have prayed to God and taken the Lord of Hosts with them into the battle. Instead, Israel took the Ark of God as a good luck charm.  Imagine, because they were not in tune with the Lord, they lost the battle, and the Ark of God was taken by the enemy!

Israel’s defeat showed the weakness of God’s people, but also the strength of their enemies––the Philistines. They had suffered one defeat after another––it was like a chain reaction. Understand, there was no way Israel could have had the victory over their enemies without true repentance.

It is the same with us; we cannot have the victory over enemies unless there is true repentance. Christians should be aware of three main enemies: The world––all its lusts and pleasures, the flesh––the old sinful nature, and the devil. When we are born again, our faith will give us victory over the world (1 John 5:4). Christ gives us victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:53-58).  We must put on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil (Ephesians 6:11).

There is only one answer to defeat and that is victory.
~Winston Churchill~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!