April 9, 2021
Seek the Kingdom of God
While Samuel was growing up, Israel is disastrously defeated by the Philistines because they have sinned against the Lord. They use the ark of the covenant to try to manipulate the presence of God to fight on their behalf but are unsuccessful.
Jesus and his disciples continue their journey toward Jerusalem. He teaches them valuable lessons about the kingdom of God and their place in it.
Observation and Activation
“They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and said, ‘Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, that it may not kill us and our people.’” - 1 Samuel 5:11
The Philistines think that their victory over Israel and the ark of the covenant means that their god, Dagon is superior to the Lord. But, after seven months of terrifying tumors plaguing every city in which they housed the ark, they returned it to Israel. The Lord shows His power over Dagon.
In Luke, Jesus reminds us that if we seek the things of God first, that everything else we need will be provided. What things do you worry about? What does our reading in Luke tell you about those worries? Share those concerns with the Lord in prayer.