Has God’s Glory Departed From You?
A rabbit trail thought for this morning.
I was reading in 1 Samuel 4:21-22 where the ark is captured by the Philistines. The Prophet Eli died, as did his two sons. His daughter-in-law gave birth and died, naming her child, Ichabod because the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel when the ark was taken.
I thought of what that ark represented. It is the mercy seat of God. His law (the ten commandments) are stored inside.
Why had the glory of God departed from the children of Israel?
Because they were not walking in obedience to God’s law. The fact the Philistines took the ark was only a physical representation of their inward condition. They lost the battle because they were not walking in obedience to God’s law.
God made many promises for His children, but they were all conditional. The condition was obedience.
Further in the story of the lost ark (1 Sam 6:20), the question is asked, ‘Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God?’ (All the foreign powers who tried to hold onto the ark were being destroyed. They too were not obeying God, but following false ‘doctrine.’)
We find this question asked again in Rev 6: 16-17. Then in chapter 7, we find the answer. Those who are sealed (144K). In chapter 14, we find out more about those who are sealed (4-5). Those sealed were not ‘defiled with women (did not follow false religions), followed the Lamb wherever He goes (into the Most Holy Place), and no guile found in mouth (no lies). They were found blameless before the throne of God.
This brought to mind, Ezek 20:12 because to be blameless, we must be sanctified/made holy. How is this done? Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.’
Obedience is the outward demonstration of our love for Jesus (John 14:15). It is the sign we have relationship with God. (1 John 3:1-10) It is the key to be able to walk through the gates of the holy city. (Rev 22:14).
Disobedience leads to destruction since disobedience is sin. (1 John 3:6, Matt 7:21-23)
Obedience does not save us. It is the proof we are saved.
When we choose to walk as the world does, taking pleasures in iniquity, then the ‘glory of God’ will depart from us. Glory, just as the word name, represents the character of God. It is the manifestation of His presence.
It is easy to understand how this happens for those who claim to be a child of God begin to compromise on matters of faith. I’ve shared numerous times on how the brain does not like confusion. If we do not walk our talk, then our brain will prune our ‘talk,’ the neural pathways presenting our beliefs.
As we compromise on one point of the law, we will compromise on another. Slowly, our lives are filled with compromise and sin. Then the glory of God, the manifestation of His presence in our lives, will depart.
God tells us in 2 Thess 2:10 that He will leave those who love not the truth to their own delusions. God never forces, not even in matters of worship. It is our free choice. We either consciously choose to walk 100% in obedience to God’s word, or we choose to follow the counterfeit. When we do this, God allows it. He allows us to experience the full consequences of our choice.
Have we compromised? Have we complied with man even though we know it is wrong? I pray each reader will turn again to God, repent and seek His will above all things, before it is too late. When we continue the path of compromise, God’s glory will depart from us.
Something to think about.