So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go back to its own place, so that it does not kill us and our people.” For there was a deadly destruction throughout the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. 1 Samuel 5:11
When disasters or hard times come upon most people, they feel it is bad luck or bad choices that have brought those times upon them. Very seldom do people search for a deeper meaning or reason for the problems that they are facing. Everything is taken at face value.
The Philistines had captured the ark of the covenant from the Israelites. Everywhere the ark was kept, there was disaster and death. The people wanted the ark sent back, knowing God’s hand was against them.
God is always at work, striving to get people to turn to Him and recognize their need for Jesus. His love for people is so great that He will use whatever means necessary to accomplish that goal.
There are times when a believer begins to step into sin and turning away from God, that God brings on some struggles to get his attention and draw him back. In the same way that the world sees a bad situation, many believers see the negative situation as bad luck. Many will even get angry with God for being harsh on them and allowing bad times to occur.
Rather than getting angry with God, one should see if there is sin in his life and turn back to God. He may also seek to determine if it is just God allowing him to be tested to see where his heart is. Believers need to recognize the hand of God in every situation. Then seek to do God’s will.
God uses every situation for your benefit. It is either to get your attention or to reward you. Allow God to open your eyes to what He is doing in your life and how to react to it. Judgment may occur in this life to turn your heart back towards Him and get rid of some sin in your life.
There may be a need for you to repent and change some ways. Or there may be a need to hold on tighter to God to pass the test.
Do you recognize God’s hand in your situation?
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will see God working in your life; that God will strengthen you to turn from all sin; that you will live for God in every area of your life; and that you will give your whole life to God’s use.
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This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Insights from Tom
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