I Samuel 4:1-3
“Whatever Samuel said was broadcast all through Israel. Israel went to war against the Philistines. Israel set up camp at Ebenezer, the Philistines at Aphek. The Philistines marched out to meet Israel, the fighting spread, and Israel was badly beaten—about four thousand soldiers left dead on the field. When the troops returned to camp, Israel’s elders said, ‘Why has GOD given us such a beating today by the Philistines? Let’s go to Shiloh and get the Chest of GOD’s Covenant. It will accompany us and save us from the grip of our enemies.’”
“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 attached 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.’”
The ability to think critically is God given and believers should use it. God holds us personally responsible though living amongst the corporately foolish. Leaders started a war without seeking God and when defeated backtracked, substituting God labeling for God communing. May we never follow blindly.
What endangers our sight today? Anything that gives the appearance of being a Christian: dress, haircut, political beliefs, vocabulary, music, worship style, architecture, etc. All of these may be used to convince ourselves and others we are authentic when we are whitewashed tombs. Suffering judgement is worth the inner housecleaning. Israel’s housecleaning in Samuel’s time made way for David. You can see clearly, find everything, in a clean house.
Lord, may my inner housecleaning always take precedence over outer housecleaning. Keep me focused on the eternal.