The Presence of God

This week’s scripture portion from 1 Samuel 5 is all about the presence of God, as visualized in the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was a source of direction for the Israelites in the wilderness, a literal way for them to know when to stop and when to go. It was a chest that held the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna and the budded staff of Aaron, all symbolizing God’s law, His presence and care for His people. God spoke to Moses from the ‘Mercy Seat’ on top of the Ark, between the angels, and there is often a cloud or fire involved. The Ark took the lead with the priests, when they came to the Jordan River and crossed on dry ground in Joshua 3. And the ark led the way when the Israelites walked around Jericho and the walls fell down. (Joshua 6) The Ark was sent to the battlefield when the Israelites took on their enemies and was seen as a means of obtaining the help of God and therefore victory over their enemies. 

But, suddenly, in chapter 5 the Ark is in the enemies’ hands. The enemy doesn’t destroy it though, they have enough respect for it to place it next to their god, Dagon. That was a pretty common practice back then...it was no problem to add other gods to the gods you were already worshipping. But that’s not how it is with our God. He demands to be the One and Only. Throughout this chapter we see the results and the havoc that the Presence of God reeks on the enemy. So much so, that finally, after 7 months of carting the Ark from one city to another, they bring the Ark back to the Israelites with expensive gifts, almost begging them to take it off of their hands!

Meanwhile, the Israelites are going through a pretty low point. They suffered a big defeat and ‘the glory has departed’. There is no sense of any plan to go back to the enemy’s territory and get the Ark back. God has to 'take up His own sword' to return to His people, figuratively speaking.

How do we experience the presence of God today? It’s hard for me to connect really well with the whole idea of God being in an Ark, a small man-made box, even if it is entirely gold covered. Is it possible that the same presence of God that was in the Ark is in each one of us today through the power of the Holy Spirit? If we believe that is the case...what should that look like? I wonder. 

I’ve been reading through the Chronicles of Narnia in 2020. When the children, Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy first encounter Aslan, they have no idea what they are about to experience or that he’s a lion! But even at the name of Aslan, each one of the children feels something jump in their insides. Edmund feels a sensation of mysterious horror. Peter feels suddenly brave and adventurous. Susan feels as if some delicious smell or some delightful strain of music has just floated by her. And Lucy gets the feeling you have when you wake up in the morning and realize that it is the beginning of the holidays or the beginning of summer.

As we think about the presence of God this week, in our lives...how do we experience hearing the name of Aslan, or feel at the mention of Jesus? What might that tell us about our soul and heart condition? It didn’t take long for the people in chapter 5 to know they wanted no part of this Israelite God! The presence of God will either draw you closer or it will repel you. There doesn't seem to be much of any middle ground.

I encourage you to share your story...your awareness of God's presence in your life.

-Ruth Spencer