Misusing Divine Power | 1 Samuel 4

Are you misusing God's power, thus missing his power?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 4. I've titled this chapter "Misusing Divine Power." Today, I am reading verse 22, which states:

And she said, "The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” — 1 Samuel 4:22

This verse is the shocking moment in this chapter. It is a statement of national stupidity. Israel made foolish choices, thinking they could harness God's power for personal means, which led to the capture of the ark of God. For those unfamiliar, the ark was a sacred chest containing the Ten Commandments that rested in the Temple, symbolizing God's presence and power.

Humanity has long been intrigued by God's power.

Even if we don't fully comprehend the intricacies of religion, we know that God, by nature, is considered all-powerful. The idea that God's power could somehow be harnessed for our benefit is undeniably attractive. The thought of this takes me back to those old classic Indiana Jones movies, like "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "The Last Crusade" where notorious explorers are allured by the proposition that the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail hold power that one could harness for personal pleasure and means.

For many, God's power is exactly what draws them to God. Consider the businessman burdened by anxieties and challenges. In desperation, he comes to God, praying that God's power will give him success or prevent the success of his competitors. If God's power can do that, the businessman sees value in God. Or consider the unbeliever who is terminally ill. Even though they have lived a prayerless life, their illness brings them to one of those "Hail Mary Prayers" for God’s healing power. If God can offer that, then they see some value in God. The applications of this twisted understanding of God's power are endless.

But this is exactly what the followers of God in Israel attempt to do in 1 Samuel 4. Believers attempt to harness the power of the ark of God for their own personal means, resulting in a mass casualty event of proportions that is catastrophic to the people of Israel. And that is what the woman in this text has learned. Her husband (Phinehas), brother-in-law (Hophni), and father-in-law (Eli) are all dead because they misunderstood and misused the power of God.

This entire chapter warns everyone about the misuse of God's power for personal pleasure. Harnessing God’s power even in our fragilities may be alluring, but it's fatal. We might even try to camouflage our attempt to harness our power behind a religious front, but still, this is fatally wrong.

With that, here are the six topics we will address in this chapter:

1. God’s Power Is Not Our Pleasure.
2. God’s Promises Are Powerfully Fulfilled.
3. Personal Sin Becomes A National Crisis.
4. God’s Power Is Not Your Good Luck Charm.
5. God’s Power Reveals Godless Corruption.
6. God’s Judgement is Painful for Everyone.

So get ready for a powerful chapter where we discover the God of all power.

#MisusingDivinePower, #HarnessingGodsPower, #BiblicalWarnings

Ask This:

1. How do you discern between seeking God's power for personal gain versus aligning yourself with His will and purposes?
2. In what areas of your life do you find yourself tempted to misuse or manipulate God's power for your own desires, and how can you realign your perspective to honor His sovereignty and wisdom?

Do This:

Don't misuse God's power.

Pray This:

Lord, help me surrender my desires for personal gain and align my heart with Your will, recognizing Your sovereignty over all things. Grant me wisdom to use Your power in accordance with Your purposes so that I may honor You in all aspects of my life. Amen.

Play This:

In Christ Alone.