When The Ark Of God Is Captured By The Enemy

TEXT: 1 Samuel 4:10-11 (NLT)

"So the Philistines fought desperately, and Israel was defeated again. The slaughter was great; 30,000 Israelite soldiers died that day. The survivors turned and fled to their tents. The Ark of God was captured, and Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were killed."

GOD'S PRESENCE CAN DEPART

Samson was anointed of God. The Spirit of God was upon him and the power of the Almighty was evident in his life. He was a judge in Israel for several years. God used him to deliver the Israel from the bondage of the Philistines. He fell into the hand of a seductress, Delilah who shaved off his hair, the symbol of God's power in his life. When his enemies came upon him, he attempted to arouse the Spirit of God, but to no avail. The Spirit of God had departed from him. He was captured, his eyes were gouged out and he became a slave to his enemies. He died in captivity. (Judges 16 :4-31). You will not fall into the hands of your enemies in Jesus name. The presence of God will not depart from your life in Jesus name.

WHEN THE PRESENCE OF GOD DEPARTS

The Ark of God represents the presence of God. The Israelite carried it whenever they went for battle. It was the symbol of God's presence and power in the nation of Israel. It was so important to the Israelites that when they saw the ark of God in 1 Samuel 4:5, their shout of joy was so loud it made the ground shake. They were so sure of victory and started celebrating before the war.The Philistines were afraid, but encouraged themselves. The Israelites were soundly defeated and the ark of God was captured by their mortal enemies. They did not realize that they carried an empty ark into the battle field. The presence of God had departed from them. The custodians of the ark of God, the two sons of Eli the priest, were described as: "... sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD" (I Sam 2:12). The mercy of God will speak for you in your time of need in Jesus name. You will not be the bearer of an empty ark of God in Jesus name.

BEARERS OF EMPTY ARK

The presence of God cannot dwell were sin reigns. Eli honoured his sons more than God and his sons committed abomination in the temple of the most high God. He punished the house of Eli for their sins. Eli and his two sons died. The ark is only a symbol of God's presence. The ark can be captured by the enemy but the presence of God cannot be captured. The Spirit of God had already departed before the ark was captured. The sons of Eli carried an empty ark. The Spirit of God departs when sin enters the heart of believers and begins to reign. Sin makes a believer an empty vessel. When wickedness took hold of Saul, the Spirit of God departed from him. "But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him" (1 Sam 16:14). Judas Iscariot experience a similar fate when Satan entered him: "Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot..." (Luke 22:3). The Spirit of God cannot dwell where Satan lives. Are you 'carrying' an empty ark of God? Has Satan gained your heart? Cry to God for mercy today as David did and God will restore the joy of your salvation in Jesus name.

PRAYER:

"Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love.

Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin" in Jesus name (Psalms 51:1-2).

DECREE:

Sin will not have dominion over me.

God bless you. Shalom.