Main Verse: 1 Samuel 4

Good morning!

These were dark days for Israel because of unrepentant sin. The nation was at war against the Philistines. In the first battle, Israel lost 4,000 men. When they reviewed what happened in the battle, they concluded that they had forgotten the Ark of the Covenant. When the Ark was brought into the camp, the nation shouted in triumph. When the Philistines saw the Ark, they wanted to run away from the battle knowing what happened the last time they faced Israel. Yet, the Philistine generals admonished the men to be brave and fight the battle. Consequently, Israel’s army was destroyed, Eli’s sons were put to death, and the Philistines took the Ark. A messenger was sent back to Shiloh to let the people know what had happened. Eli was sitting on a fence post when the man told Eli about his sons being put to death, he was shaken but when he heard that the Ark was taken, he fell over backwards and died. Phineas’ wife was pregnant and when she heard about her husband and Father-in-law, she gave birth to a male child and then died also; before she died though, she named the child Ichabod which means, “The glory of God has departed” which leads to “hopelessness”.

“Ichabod” is, in a way, a curse word because when directed at an individual, it means “May you be hopeless, fearful, and weak-kneed”. In the same way, when we turn our backs on the Lord He will leave and our temple will be left “clean and in order”. When the Devil gets word of it, He will bring in seven more spirits worse than the ones we previously dealt with (Matthew 12:43-45). We can play “Church” and carry a bible with us all we want to but until we confess our sins and repent, all of that stuff is for naught. My encouragement for you today is that you will look hard at your life and your choices. If the Lord does not convict you then you have peace with God; if not, we need to talk (1 John 3:20-21).

I.H.S. MK

Father,

Please forgive the sins I have committed and help me to live for you today. If there is anything in me that is displeasing to you, please show my error and lead me to the Rock that is higher than I (Psalms 61:1-4). Please help me to forgive people who sin against me and when they confess it, help me to extend the same grace that you extended to me (Matthew 18:31-35). Because I do not want anything to stand between us, please help me to do that which is pleasing to you (John 8:29). I pray for my nation and families today that you will be with us. As 2024 comes to an end and 2025 is on the horizon, please help me to redeem the time.

In Jesus’ name