Nang makabalik na ang mga nakaligtas sa kanilang kampo, nagtanungan ang matatandang namumuno sa Israel, “Bakit kaya pinabayaan ni Yahweh na matalo tayo ng mga Filisteo ngayon? Ang mabuti pa’y kunin natin sa Shilo ang Kaban ng Tipan upang samahan tayo ni Yahweh. Siguro kung nasa atin iyon ay ililigtas niya tayo sa ating mga kaaway.

1 Samuel 4:3

Israel was God’s chosen nation, but they acted foolishly many times. Despite the provision and privilege given to them, they disobeyed and doubted God. You see this in the book of 1 Samuel when they lost the battle with the Philistines. Instead of seeking God, they decided to take matters into their own hands.

They removed the most sacred element in the temple, the Ark of the Covenant, which represents God’s presence in the Temple. They violated God’s command and took the ark with them in battle thinking that the ark would save them. They placed their faith in the man-made ark rather than God Himself. Unfortunately, their wrong belief proved disastrous as it killed 30,000 Israelites.

When bad things happen, do you humbly seek God to work things out on your behalf? Or do you come up with man-made interventions to rescue yourself? Marami sa atin ang guilty dito. Mas nagtitiwala tayo sa mga tangible things like money, position, career, at connections kaysa sa Diyos. O kaya naman, we put more weight on traditions and beliefs not aligned with God’s Word. Like the Israelites, placing our faith in these things is more harmful than beneficial.

Jesus cleanses our hearts to accept the things of God. He frees us from wrong beliefs so we can trust Him wholeheartedly. No tangible thing or earthly power can override a mighty God.