Decisions and Seeking God

"Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camped at Ebenezer while the Philistines camped at Aphek. The Philistines lined up in battle formation against Israel, and as the battle intensified, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who struck down about four thousand men on the battlefield."

"When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord defeat us today before the Philistines? Let’s bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh. Then it will go with us and save us from our enemies.” So the people sent men to Shiloh to bring back the ark of the covenant of the Lord of Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God."  (1 Sam. 4:1-4)

Have you ever made a decision that did not turn out so well? Whom did you consult to help you with the decision? Did you take time to prepare and pray to God?

Israel decided to go into battle against the Philistines and both times they get slaughtered. When we see why it makes sense. Even more, when we follow the same pattern as them, we can see why we sometimes face "defeat" in decisions we make. Two reasons come up that show me why Israel was defeated.

Israel did not seek God's will to fight

Whether the prophet/priest Samuel gave a word or not or the elders just decided, it is clear Israel made a decision to fight without the proper consultation with God. God established rules for the people to follow before engaging in war. (1) He must go before them as their sovereign king and (2) they are to purify themselves through the proper rituals as a part of the preparation for God be amongst them and to fight. Neither of these is done. Even more, they eventually have the corrupt sons of Eli to "lead" them. Nothing they have done has indicated they want to honor God or truly desire Him to lead them.

What are the decisions we make without first talking to God about? Prayer and preparation have always been key components to major decisions of one's life or within the church. Often, disciples or Jesus Himself could be found fasting, praying, and seeking solitude in order to prepare for what is to come. The same is said of the godly leaders found throughout the Old Testament. It is about honoring God as the sovereign king of our lives and trusting that He knows what is best for us above what we even think is best. When we are hasty in decisions and do not properly seek God, the impact and consequences could be great.  

They try to use God as a commodity

After the first defeat, the elders get the idea to bring out the Ark of the Covenant because God's presence is with it. While God did use it to symbolize His presence among the people, it was not the only resting place of His presence. So, the people bring it out and hope that it (the Ark) will save them. It is possible the "it" in Scripture could be translated as he, but it is ambiguous. This tells us that somewhere along the way what was a symbol of God's presence became a god to them. Andrew Blackwood states, "First, men said that God was in the Ark. Then they insisted that God was the Ark. Later they assumed that the Ark was God. Hence they relied on the Ark as a substitute for the God of their fathers." Once the symbol became God, God became something controllable and manipulated by them to their will. Instead of asking and waiting for God to approve what is happening, they now try to bring God into their plans. They basically said, "Okay God, we got us here and now we need you to come into this mess and go ahead and bless it." An attitude like this happens when we can "mold God to what we want".

When we do not properly seek God and understand who He is, we make grave mistakes like this. Even more, we make even good things like music, buildings, or people our "chosen god". We turn possessions or experiences of this world into idols. In addition, when we desire these other things over God it can lead us to find leaders who are willing to compromise. The elders allowed spiritually corrupt men to lead them in Eli's sons. They are not proper leaders and have compromised their relationship with God and are leading the people to do the same. We must be careful to remember who God is and who we are to Him. Misplaced perspective such as 1 Sam. 4 teaches can lead to great very serious consequences.

"Life Worship"

"I understand that God has saved my life through the work and sacrifice of Jesus and He mercifully saved me." This is the person who through intellect or knowledge of Scripture what salvation means. This is only in the head. When true faith and salvation impacts the heart and life is when it is lived out as Paul presents in this verse. "Paul now reveals [the body of the believer] to be the ultimate key to the practice of the victorious Christian life. It is of little avail to know theoretically the truths of Romans 6-8 (or other Scripture) if the body(the practical outworking) is not surrendered so that the life of Christ can be expressed in the everyday affairs of life." (John Phillips)

The life lived in Christ is marked as holy and pleasing to God that is worship of Christ. To be holy is to be set apart, consecrated, devoted to God. The implications are 2 fold:

1. Sinful actions and lifestyle are entirely opposed to the life that is holy and pleasing to God. We usually apply this well. In youth ministry we see this summed up for students by the "big dont's"- don't do drugs, don't have sex before marriage, don't be mean to people, etc. However, lifestyle is just the revealed attitude of one's life. How you live is determined by your heart. So, if you are a bitter person, your heart may be racked with anger. This example is to help see that action alone is not the sole issue of sin. Attitude of the heart, the root cause of behavior is just revealed in how we live.

2. Though things of this world may not be sinful to participate in, the question of does it please God and reveal His holiness through me is key. I believe Paul wants his readers to see that living a life of worship for Jesus is of far greater value than our desires. I may choose to not participate in certain things because it could affect my witness of my life as worship of Jesus, even though I may have the freedom to do those things. What is of greater value for you and me? My wants or desires that I am free to participate in or my life as worship of Christ? Can I be willing to sacrifice what I want for the sake of Christ?

Hobbies are good, but if they force me to neglect my spiritual duties (lead family or lead church) or callings, they interfere with my "life worship".

Media such as music, movies, or books are of value to a point. But if the content conforms me more to the world rather than Christ, my worship is hindered.

Work, education, sports, travel, possessions, and money all are perhaps necessary or elements of life that can be important, but if they replace Christ they are now the object of my worship and my life will reflect as such. 

So, the call of Paul is to live a life of worship that is pleasing to Him. It is not what we do on a Sunday morning alone that is worship. How we conduct our lives are actually greater elements of worship. Think about this: the 3rd commandment is to not take the Lord's name in vain. We associate that with not cussing to saying "God" or "Jesus" like curses. However, to claim Christ as Savior and Lord and to not live a life worthy of worship to Him is also to take the Lord's name in vain. It is in fact the name of Jesus we call out to to be saved. It is the name of Jesus we claim who changed us.