"But God struck down some of the men of Beth Shemesh putting seventy of them to death because they had looked into the ark of the Lord." (1 Samuel 6:19)
The ark of the covenant was more than a treasured object of power that the Israelites' thought they could use to satisfy their own purposes.
They were more impressed by the ark itself, instead of the person inside. It contained the presence of God. God will not be controlled by humans.
How does this apply to us as Christians today?
We show more respect for the programs of worship, and Christian service, than we do the person and power of God. The opportunities to worship and serve the Lord, are not to feed our own egos, and satisfy our own purposes. We are to first and foremost, acknowledge the presence of God, in all that we do in His name.
I can sit in a church building, just alone with God, and without the help of human intervention, feel His presence, and be inspired by Him.
It must never be about us, but about the presence and power of God, in our lives.
What if God was as strict with us, as He was with those Israelites' who looked inside the ark, and disrespected His presence. When we use our platforms and programs, in the name of the Lord, to promote ourselves, are we not standing on dangerous ground with the Lord?
It's time to humble ourselves, and respect and submit to the presence and power of God. We must allow God to work in us, and through us, for His glory alone! GP
Photo by Igor Rodrigues on Unsplash.