The Reflection of Our Devotion

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Verses 1 Samuel 6:2-5  "And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, 'What shall we do with the ark of the Lord? Tell us how we should send it back to its place.' So they said, 'If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty; but by all means return it to Him with a trespass offering. Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why His hand is not removed from you.' Then they said, 'What is the trespass offering which we shall return to Him?' They answered, 'Five golden tumors, like the hemorrhoids that are on the Philistines, and five golden rats, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines. For the same plague was on all of you and on your lords. Therefore you shall make images of your hemorrhoids and images of your rats that ravage the land, and you shall give glory to the God of Israel; perhaps He will lighten His hand from you, from your gods, and from your land.'" 

The offering suggested by the magicians and priests of the Philistines is a stark reminder of the reflection of our devotion to God. Models of rectal tumors and rats are not only menial but also reflect the uncultured and barbaric nature of their religious views. It is clear that the filthiness in their doctrine has reflected in their offerings.

The question that arises from this story is: what kind of view do we have of God? Does our faith reflect a great and majestic view of the Ultimate, or does it reduce Him to something mundane and ordinary? The answer to this question is crucial, because it determines the kind of devotion we will offer to God.

This is why it is so important to adhere to a noble path, a path that reflects a great and majestic view of God. We must be careful not to allow our faith to be influenced by uncultured and barbaric views, but rather to seek a sane faith that is grounded in the truth of God's word. After all, we are not vindicated by our doctrines, but by God's Nature which has been evident to us mainly in creation and scriptures.

In order to be highly good, great, and sane in this world, our God should be perfectly that. If our God is not perfect, then our lives will reflect that imperfection. But if our God is perfect, then our lives will reflect that perfection.

Prayer:

Dear God, we thank you for the reminder that our devotion to you must be guided by a noble and sincere heart. Help us to recognize the subtle ways in which uncultured and barbaric views can influence our faith, and give us the courage to seek a sane faith that is grounded in the truth of your word. May we have a great view of you, and may our devotion to you reflect your greatness. May we be transformed by your truth and redeemed by your love.

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