Consecrated Men | 1 Samuel 7:1

Are you aware of God's presence in your life?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 7. I've titled this chapter "Stand Up And Make A Declaration."

We begin this chapter with 1 Samuel 7:1 reads:

And the men of Kiriath-jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord and brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to have charge of the ark of the Lord. — 1 Samuel 7:1

First, I think it's crucial, as it relates to this text, to recall the journey of the Ark of God for the last few chapters. First, the Ark was in Shiloh. This was where it was supposed to be, inside the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. But the wicked sons of Eli removed the Ark of God and brought it into battle using it like a good luck charm and then lost it to the Philistines. Then the Philistines take it, assuming a victory over God. But God strikes them with a plague and hemorrhoids, and they pass it from town to town until they are ready to be rid of it. Then it ends up in Beth-Shemesh. But the priest inappropriately handled it, and God struck 70 of them dead, which may have been the whole lot of them. Now, like the Philistines, the Israelites are frightened of it.

So this is where we pick up in verse one. Israel had to decide what to do with it. They don't take it back to Shiloh, which is pretty close, and we are not told why. There could be many reasons, one of which might be the desecration of the Tabernacle by Eli's sons. But they take it about 15 miles up the road to Abinadab's house (who was one of the remaining priests) and consecrate his son (Eleazar), and they keep the Ark of God in their house.

Here's a thought for you.

Imagine that the Ark of God appeared at your doorstep today. How would your thoughts, attitudes, and actions change?

I bet the way you lead would shift. I bet how you care for your wife, the words you choose, and even the media you consume would change. I assume your thoughts and attitudes would transform, as well.

But this is not a hypothetical thought. God's presence is not confined to a box. His Spirit lives within every believer. The power of the Holy God is with us wherever we go. We are a temple of the Holy Spirit. So, if this is the case, we should live with each moment of every day with a healthy awareness of holy reverence and divine dread in us, consecrating every thought, attitude, and action.

Dwell on that today, and live like it.

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Ask This:

1. How can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence in your daily routines and interactions?

    

2. Reflecting on today's message, what practical steps can you take to consecrate your thoughts, attitudes, and actions to honor God's presence in your life?

Do This:

Dwell on the presence of God in you, and act like it.

Pray This:

Father, help me to live each day with a deep awareness of Your presence within me. Guide my thoughts, words, and actions to reflect Your holiness and grace to those around me. Amen.

Play This:

Here in the Presence.