God Never Sits Second | 1 Samuel 1:1-3

Is God sitting in second place in your life?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 5. I've titled this chapter "Clearing The Path To Glory."

Today, I am reading verses 1-3:

When the Philistines captured the ark of God, they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it up beside Dagon. And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord. — 1 Samuel 5:1-3

God Set Second

The Philistines did with the ark what they would've done with any trophy taken in war. Notice the arrogance of the narrating verbs: they captured it, took it, brought it, and set it in the house of their idol god, Dagon. For the enemy, there could be no more powerful expression of victory. The Philistines, with Dagon, had triumphed over the God who defeated the powers of Egypt.

However, overnight, something happened in their temple. We are not told what happened, only that the next day when the people enter the temple, they discover that Dagon has fallen to the ground. Dagon is found prostrate before the Ark of God. This surely frightened the people of Ashdod.

God Never Sits Second

The lesson is this: The Almighty will not sit in second place. He will not be used by his creation for his power or bow to the carvings that man constructs from his imagination. Both the Israelites and the Philistines were guilty of wrong treatment. Israel treated the Ark of God like a good luck charm and the Philistines like an inferior trophy of war. Because they fail to comprehend God's might, he smites them both and makes his own path back to Shiloh.

So, let's apply this practically because most of you will not fight an actual war today.

Put God First

Let's say today, you claim a small victory in your life. Let's also assume that you claim this victory without a thought of God. Your pride takes hold, and you think, "I did it." Because you were successful this time, you repeat the same thing. If you meet with success again, this will train you to believe that you did it, you can do it on your own, and there is no need for God. Eventually, pride combined with the power of human effort takes over until you see no need to pray, consult the Spirit, or call on God. And this keeps going until you encounter a battle that is beyond your power or ability. Then, like Israel, you finally bring God into battle, but all you are doing is using his power to win your battle to get your victory. You will lose if you fail to see that you set yourself first and God sits second.

It is interesting that this pride is evident in the actions of the Philistines, while it is less apparent in the conduct of the Israelites. However, it is the same pride that ultimately results in defeat.

Stop putting God in second place in your life. God will not be satisfied with being a periodic part of your life. God demands to be at the center of everything. When you place God in second place, you put yourself in first place, and like Dagon, you will inevitably bow before the Almighty Lord, who can clear his path to glory with or without you.

#PutGodFirst, #PriorityOfFaith, #ClearPathToGlory

Ask This:

1. Reflect on a recent victory or success in your life. How did you acknowledge God's role in that achievement, or did you attribute it solely to your efforts? How can you ensure that God remains at the center of your victories moving forward? 
2. Consider areas in your life where you may inadvertently place God in second place. What steps can you take to realign your priorities and ensure that God holds the primary position in every aspect of your life?

Do This:

Give God first place.

Pray This:

Lord, forgive me for the times I have placed myself before You and help me recenter my life around Your sovereignty, acknowledging Your presence in every victory and trial. Guide me to continually seek Your will above my own so that You may always reign first in my heart. Amen.

Play This:

First.