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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “A believer’s Worst predicament” “Worst predicament” refers to the most difficult, unpleasant, or dangerous situation, particularly one that is hard to get out of or resolve. We shall reflect on the fact that a believer’s worst predicament is when the glory of God departs from him or her. This fact also applies to a nation.

Dear friend in Christ, the foundation of our existence, sustenance, victory, faith and salvation is God, therefore our worst predicament is not the calamities or troubles we encounter in life but it is the departure of the presence or glory of God from our lives. God does not operate on our whims and caprices, nor does he operate like a Jenni in the Arabian folklore. According to the Arabian folklore, which is depicted in the movie or cartoon titled “Aladdin”, a Jinni is spirit, often appearing in human form, that when summoned by a person, carries out the wishes of the summoner. Conversely, God does not operate like a Jinni. After their initial defeat by the Philistines, the Israelites thought that the Ark of God would enable them to defeat the Philistines “So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim. And Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. (1 Samuel 4:4) Irrespective of the fact that the Ark was brought to the camp of the Israelites, the Philistines fought, and the Israelites were defeated, and every man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great; Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers. 11 The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died. (1 Samuel 4:10-11)

Beloved in the Lord, our relationship with God is not like that of Aladdin and Jinni, where Aladdin can summon Jinni to fight his enemies at will. Our relationship with God is a covenantal relationship where God’s glory or presence among us is premised on faith and obedience to Him. The Ark of God was not a talisman but a constant reminder to Israel of His covenant relationship. It was a symbol or a sign of God’s glory and not a talisman where God is obliged to act just because He has been summoned. The glory of God had left the Priesthood of Eli’s lineage according to 1 Samuel 2:27-36 and 1 Samuel 3:11-14. Once the Priesthood as disapproved by God, the glory of God departed from it, hence the massive defeat of Israel and the death of Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas. Again, once the glory of God had departed from the Israelites, it was easy for the Philistines to capture the Ark of God. Consequently, Eli died tragically when he was told, “Also, your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” 18 When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backwards off his chair by the side of the gate. His neck was broken, and he died, for he was an old man, and he was heavy. (1 Samuel 4:17-18) It appeared Eli had accepted the fate of his sons, but the news that really caused his death was the fact that God’s glory had left Israel. Beloved in the Lord, life is meaningless without God. There is nothing to live for when God deserts you or when God leaves you to your fate. Again, Eli’s daughter-in-law suffered a similar fate as Eli himself when she heard of the killing of her husband and the departure of God’s glory. As a constant reminder to the Israelites, the orphan she gave birth to was named by the midwife, “Ichabod, saying, “The Glory has departed from Israel”—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 She said, “The Glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” (1 Samuel 4:21-22)

Dear friend, a believer’s worst predicament is when the glory of God departs from him or her. No wonder David prayed fervently, Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. (Psalms 51:11-13) Again, having experienced an empty and meaningless life without God, the dying robber who was crucified with Jesus yearned to experience God in his next life; therefore, he prayed to Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43) Again, Jesus knew that there was no way, His disciples were going to succeed without His presence therefore He assured them, “…surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). This is a strong indication that without the glory of God or the presence of God in our lives, we are doomed! To experience the glory of God, we must “…worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for these are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. (John 4:23). To continually experience the glory of God in our lives, Jesus again assures us, “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. (John 14:15-17). When we experience the glory of God, we shall come to the same conclusion with David that “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalms 23:5-6

In summary, we have discovered that a believer’s worst predicament is when the glory of God departs from him or her. This fact also applies to a nation. Shalom

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit strengthen us to live according to the will of God so that His glory will never depart from us. “For in him we live and move and have our being.’ (Acts 17:28). Amen.