The Futility of a Church Without God's Presence

-

Verses: Judges 18:24-25 "And the Danites took what Micah had made, and the priest who belonged to him, and they came to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, and struck them with the edge of the sword and burned the city with fire. And there was no deliverer because it was far from Sidon, and they had no dealings with anyone else, and it was in the valley that belongs to Beth-rehob. And they rebuilt the city and lived in it."

The story of Micah's shrine and the Danites' attack on it serves as a stark reminder of the futility of a church that is not built on God's presence and direction. Micah had created his own shrine, with his own priest and idols, but it was not built on God's foundation. As a result, it was vulnerable to attack and destruction.

The Danites' attack on Micah's shrine was swift and merciless. They took away the priest and the idols, and there was no one to defend the shrine. This is a powerful illustration of what happens when a church is not built on God's presence and holiness. It may look impressive and pompous on the outside, but it is weak and vulnerable to attack.

The lack of holiness and orderlessness in Micah's shrine made it an easy target for the Danites. When a church is not built on God's foundation, it is like a house built on sand. It may look sturdy on the outside, but it is weak and vulnerable to collapse. Holiness, on the other hand, is a powerful defense against the attacks of the enemy.

When a church is built on God's presence and holiness, it is like a house built on a rock. It is strong and resilient, able to withstand the storms and attacks of the enemy. The story of Micah's shrine and the Danites' attack on it serves as a warning to us today. However pompous and impressive a church may look, if it is not built on God's presence and holiness, it will not withstand the trials of time.

Let us learn from the mistakes of Micah and the Danites. Let us strive to build our churches and our lives on God's presence and holiness. Let us seek to live a life that is pleasing to God, and let us build our churches on the foundation of God's Word.

Prayer:

Dear God, help us to recognize the importance of building our churches and our lives on Your presence and holiness. May we strive to live a life that is pleasing to You, and may we build our churches on the foundation of Your Word. May we be strong and resilient in the face of attack, and may we always seek to glorify You in all that we do. Amen.

Popular posts from this blog

A Glimpse of God's Goodness

-
Verse: Genesis 48:11 (NIV) 11 Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face again, and yet God has allowed me to see your children too." As Jacob gazed upon the faces of his loved ones, he felt as though he was beholding the very face of God. In this moment, he realized that experiencing God's goodness was akin to seeing God Himself. The joy, the peace, and the love that radiated from their presence was a tangible manifestation of God's divine goodness, a reflection of His loving character. Jacob's heart overflowed with emotion as he grasped the magnitude of God's love. He felt the warmth of God's embrace, the comfort of His presence, and the assurance of His guidance. In this moment, all his doubts, fears, and worries seemed to fade away, replaced by a deep sense of trust and surrender. "Oh, the goodness of God!" he exclaimed, his heart overflowing with praise. "To see Your face in the faces of my loved ones is to behold Your ve...
Read more

A Divine Encounter: From Fear to New Identity❤️

-
Verses:Genesis 32:22-32 "That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, 'Let me go, for it is daybreak.' But Jacob replied, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.' The man asked him, 'What is your name?' 'Jacob,' he answered. Then the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.'" In this remarkable story, God comes down to meet Jacob in his moment of fear and uncertainty. Jacob is worried about his upcoming encounter with Esau, but God has a different plan. Inste...
Read more

When Superstition Overcame Faith

-
Verse:2 Kings 3:27 "Then he took his oldest son who was to reign in his place and offered him for a burnt offering on the wall. And there came great wrath against Israel, and they departed from him and returned to their own land." The alliance of Israel, Judah, and Edom had marched against Moab, confident in their impending victory. God was with them, ensuring their success. Yet, in a desperate act, the king of Moab did the unthinkable—he sacrificed his own son on the city wall. Instead of pressing forward in faith, Israel retreated in fear. Why? Because superstition, deeply rooted in their hearts, deceived them.   Though they were God’s people, Israel had never fully abandoned the pagan influences around them. Even their kings—Jehoram of Israel, Jehoshaphat of Judah, and the king of Edom—were not wholly devoted to the Lord. When they saw the horrific sacrifice, they were overcome not by divine judgment but by their own lingering belief in the power of such rituals. They assu...
Read more