From Shiloh To Ashdod

by Guy Jarvie, Glasgow, Scotland | Category: General | Aug 1988

It was a tragic day for Israel (1 Sam. 4); 30,000 men had been killed in the battle with the Philistines, and the precious Ark of the Covenant had been taken (vv. 10,11).

False gods had crept into the hearts and homes of many in Israel, and the power of God was no longer with them. Samuel the prophet was among them, but he was yet young. In fear of the enemy they brought out the Ark of God from Shiloh, hoping that it would bring them victory. When the Ark was brought into the camp they "shouted with a great shout". Confidence was high because the Ark was among them. But it could not bring victory for the living God was not with them.

Israel was defeated and the Ark of God was carried to Ashdod and placed in the temple of Dagon, the idol god of the Philistines. What a place for the Ark of the Covenant! The glory of God had departed from Israel, as a godly woman said before she died.

After seven months the Philistines returned the Ark to Israel because they feared the God of Israel. Twenty long years passed before Israel realized that only God could save them and give them power over their enemies. False gods were still in the homes of many among them.

Revival came at last when they "lamented after the LORD". They put away their gods and fasted before the Lord, confessing their sin. When the Philistines came again, Samuel the prophet took a sucking lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. Then Samuel cried to the Lord for Israel and the Lord heard him. "The LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day". Victory had come at last. The God of glory had thundered (Ps. 29:3).

We also have an enemy stronger than ourselves, and in no way can we overcome in our own strength. Only in the power of the Spirit of God can we prevail, whether it be in our personal lives or in collective service for God. The Master said, "Apart from Me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).

"The whole world lieth in the evil one" (1 John 5:19). This is very evident to us now. To stand against the course of the world we must have the joy of the Lord, as we continue in prayer and faith. We must exercise ourselves to godliness (1 Tim. 4:7). When the Lord is first in our lives and we love righteousness then He keeps us in spiritual vitality, ready for His use.

To reach others and deliver them from the power of the evil one, we must be even more prayerful. We must strive together in prayer (Rom. 15:30). In reaching others we are in combat with the powers of darkness. We must prevail in prayer before we can prevail against the world-rulers of this

darkness (Eph. 6:12). Turning others to God is not only convincing sinners that they need to be saved. The unsaved are deceived by the god of this world. How else could so many intelligent men and women believe that the marvels of the universe came about without an all-wise Creator? The powers of darkness are very real.

Our efforts and our words must be in the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. He alone can convict of sin (John 16:8). Let us give ourselves to earnest prayer in the Holy Spirit, so that the Lord can use us in His great service. Our younger brethren and sisters can be used of God in reaching the unsaved as they are led by the Lord. Indeed we all can take part in this spiritual warfare, through prayer and faith. "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever" (Dan. 12:3).

Guy Jarvie, Glasgow, Scotland | Aug 1988
General