Is There Something You Need To Send Back?
Tuesday, August 27
1 Samuel 6:7-12 (NIV)
““Now then, get a new cart ready, with two cows that have calved and have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up. Take the ark of the LORD and put it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending back to him as a guilt offering. Send it on its way, but keep watching it. If it goes up to its own territory, toward Beth Shemesh, then the LORD has brought this great disaster on us. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not his hand that struck us but that it happened to us by chance.” So they did this. They took two such cows and hitched them to the cart and penned up their calves. They placed the ark of the LORD on the cart and along with it the chest containing the gold rats and the models of the tumors. Then the cows went straight up toward Beth Shemesh, keeping on the road and lowing all the way; they did not turn to the right or to the left. The rulers of the Philistines followed them as far as the border of Beth Shemesh.”
Devotion
People tend to forget what they may have taken while remembering what treasures were taken from them. If our treasure is really in heaven, why would we be slow to right past wrongs, bring things into the light, and ask forgiveness? Have you taken someone's wife or husband, son or daughter? Have you treated people as sexual playthings or stepping stones to status or position? Have you lied, cheated, or stolen your way into a job or illicit relationship?
The Philistines took the Ark of the LORD thinking it demonstrated the superiority of their god. The hand of Yahweh, the one true God, was against them until they made it right. We may have taken a treasure as a similar power play or from a sense of entitlement, but unless our conscience is seared, both our conscience and the Holy Spirit remind us that it is not OK. Greed, covetousness, lust, and desire for power are all forms of idolatry that will keep us in bondage, just as surely as bowing down and worshiping a pagan god. If you have taken someone's treasure, it is time to repent and send it back.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the example in today's passage. Bring to my mind and conscience anything I may have taken that needs to be sent back. Also warn me by Your Holy Spirit not to give into temptation to lay my hands on the treasures of others by theft, deceit, manipulation, or witchcraft. Help me be content with godliness and my daily bread from You. If I enjoy any increase, may it be by legitimate and honest means, and let me be eager to share with those in need, be a blessing to Israel, and share in the work of Your Great Commission. In the Name of Jesus, I Pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
The Philistines were confused about why they were sick and their economy wrecked. They noted that this started when they stole God’s Ark from Israel. Scripture is clear that not all of our difficulties are the result of our own sin. However, when you can’t seem to catch a break or improve your situation, and it just doesn’t make sense, do this: ask Jesus to show you if there is some hidden sin (or sin that you hoped He would forget without repentance) that is holding you back spiritually. If there is, confess, repent and, if needed, make restitution. Pray for restoration.
Resources
- Watch and determine to “Sanitize Your Spirit”, and purify your heart.
- Learn and live by the definition of repentance, which requires an admission of guilt, a resolve not to repeat the offense, and an attempt to make restitution for the wrong.