“So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts…”

1 Samuel 4:4

The Israelites were a people of interest, wonder, and fear in the days of Moses, Samuel, Joshua, Elijah, Elisha, David, and many other mighty men. Yet in this story, we see these once-feared people being slaughtered in battle by their long-standing enemy—the Philistines.

The Israelites were losing the battle heavily, so they rushed to bring the Ark of the Covenant as a quick fix to secure victory. But their hopes were shattered. Even more men were killed, and the unthinkable happened—their symbol of victory, strength, and God’s presence was captured. What a tragedy and a deep humiliation.

Their mistake, in my view, was treating God as a quick fix. There is no mention of prayer or seeking God’s will before engaging the enemy. Because of this, 4,000 men fell. Then, instead of praying to understand the cause of their defeat—just as Joshua did after the loss at Ai (Joshua 8) —they presumptuously carried the Ark like a trophy, hoping it would guarantee immediate and quick victory. This resulted in much more fatalities: the death of 30,000 men (v.10). God was sending a clear message: I am not your trophy or your quick-fix solution.

God is a God of process—steps upon steps, precepts upon precepts, lines upon lines, a little here, a little there, day by day. (Isaiah 28:10)

Have you ever wondered why He took six days to create the earth? Why He formed the man first, and then the woman? He could have done everything in an instant, yet He chose not to. He chose to be deliberate, and methodical to teach us something about His Person. No wonder the Kingdom of God is like a seed—small, steady, and continually growing into a tree that offers shade, nourishment, beauty, and a home for living creatures.

Our lives are not meant to be quick fixes. We have to allow God to discipline and shape us day by day, step by step. We have to allow God to work with our daily disappointments, daily trials and struggles to shape our character and full trust in His providence and timing.

We have to develop a lifestyle of daily reading and meditation of the Word of God for our spiritual growth and sustenance until we grow into strong, reliable trees—able to withstand storms, provide shade for the weary, offer the food of God’s Word in season, and remain evergreen beside the rivers of God (Psalm 1). Such a life radiates God’s beauty and becomes a dwelling place for Him.

This will transform us into men and women who do not relate to God on a quick-fix basis, but through a continuous, steady, daily relationship. Such a person is the one God fights for, God defends, and grants resounding victory. For when a person’s ways please the Lord, He makes even their enemies to be at peace with them. (Prov. 16:7)

Lord, make us men and women who dwell with You, talk with You, walk with You and have a daily continuous relationship with You, in Jesus name, Amen.

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