Superstitions are prevalent in society because we like the idea of having some degree of control over our destinies. - P155
We will clutch ontoanything that claims to guarantee a positive outcome for us.
However, sovereign power over our future belongs to God alone, and Godcannot be manipulated into doing our bidding. - P155
Those who trust andlove the Lord have no need to force His hand to give them what theydesire, for what they desire is God Himself and to conform to Hiswill. - P155
He has given us prayer as a means to present our requests to Himalong with the promise that whatever happens to us, - P155
He will work all things together for our good. - P155
4 But the following morning when they rose, there wasDagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark ofthe LORD! His head and hands had been broken off andwere lying on the threshold; only his body remained.
5 That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagonnor any others who enter Dagon‘s temple at Ashdod stepon the threshold. - P156
10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. As the ark ofGod was entering Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out,
"They have brought the ark of the god of Israel aroundto us to kill us and our people." - P157
The Philistines bring the ark of God to Ashdod and place it in the temple ofDagon. The Lord strikes the people of Ashdod with tumors, so the ark is sentto Gath. The Lord afflicts the people of Gath with an outbreak of tumors, sothe ark is sent to Ekron, where the people cry out for the ark to be sent away. - P157
The false god of the Philistines falls down before the true God. Thepriests thought they were bringing the ark in triumph before their god,but Dagon is only a statue while Yahweh is the living God. - P158
The Philistines are perplexed and
dismayed by the weakness of their god but theyremain blind to the fact that Dagon is nothing more than a powerlessobject. - P158
People today still put their trust in all kinds of idols-whethermaterial, ideological, or relational. - P158
Sinful humanity seeks to push Godout of every sphere of society. But we need not fear them, for greater isHe who is in us than he who is in the world. - P158
Before thepower of theone true God, every idol must fall down.
- P158
Devastated and perplexed by the displays of God‘s wrath, the Philis-tines take counsel together and move the ark to different cities of theirregion. - P158
The result is the same, however: they are only perpetuating andspreading theconsequences of their offense against God. - P158
This passageis a reminder that though the world may use all its ingenuity, power,
wealth, and influence, it cannot rid itself of the consequences of sin norfight against the God who rules history. - P158
This means that we never haveto be afraid even when the world seems to grow more dangerous andunstable. - P158
When we look to God and walk with Him, He will sustain usthrough every unforeseen or confusing event. - P158
He provided them with multiple opportunities to turn to Himin repentance. Unfortunately, they chose to follow the Pharaoh‘s leadevery time. - P159
As a result, the nation suffered trial after trial, eventuallyculminating in the death of all their firstborn sons. The Egyptians ex-perienced untold pain because they chose to move against God whenHe had made His plans clear.
- P159
On the other hand, the people of Nineveh in the book of Jonah actedin stark contrast, to Pharaoh and his people. - P159
They were wicked andviolent and had made the Israelites suffer untold cruelties. But Godalso gave them an opportunity to repent by sending them Jonah, who,
unlike Moses, did not display multiple terrifying signs. - P159
Yet, the peopleof Nineveh and their king immediately repented when they heardJonah‘s message of judgment. - P159
They heeded God‘s Word and becamefollowers of the true living God. - P159
God speaks to people in different ways. - P159
Sometimes, He displays signsand wonders; at other times, He sends His people to simply preachrepentance. - P159
What matters is not so much the He chooses towayspeak but our response when He does speak. - P159
When God gives us Hisinstructions, may we always be eager to obey. - P159
Father, You are God, and no one can steal Your glory. You are Lord and no onecan thwart Your plans. - P159
I will not fear the gods of this world and I will not givein to anxiety because of its unceasing tumult. I trust in You to protect, guide,and provide. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P159
One evening,
after a particularly discouraging attempt at witnessing to a friend, Iunburdened myself to my dad. "What if I never get to lead my friendto Christ?" I asked as we drove home.
"It‘s not your job to convert people," he replied. "Your part is to testifyto God‘s message." - P27
His answer often comes back to my mind when Ishare the gospel, and it has protected me from discouragement timeand again. - P27
God does not need me to make His gospel known. In fact,
knowing how awkward I can be in social situations, it is surprisingthat He would entrust me with sharing the good news. - P27
But then Iremember, "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame thewise" (1 Cor. 1:27). - P27
We certainly ought to do our best to share the gospel clearly; whatChrist has done is too valuable and wonderful for us to be carelessin how we present it to the world. - P27
Yet we need not fret and think itis up to us to make people believe. Faith is a gift from God, whichHe chooses to bestow through the hearing of His Word. - P27
And Jesuspromises to be with us as we tell people what He has done. - P27
He is fullypresent and in control in each of our endeavors to make Him known. - P27
Father God, thank you for the gift of Your clear, holy, and infallible Word! - P27
Giveme a new hunger and passion to study the Bible and share Your truth withothers. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P27
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