×

Why it may be better to pray for brokenness than to whistle for a Genie.

The situation is bleak.  The battlefield is filled with dead Jews.  The enemies are rejoicing.  Hope seems to be gone.  The Philistines had just mowed down 4,000 men of Israel in an ancient border skirmish.

In terms of redemptive history this is not a real good time for the people of God.  The priest is impotent, he cares more for his sons and family then God and his glory.  The sons are called ‘worthless’ by God (1 Sam. 2.12).  By in large the people seem like fairly self-dependent comfortable proud religious folks who are still breathing the fumes from God’s faithfulness in previous generations.  They do not seem to know or truly love God.

And here we are on the battlefield. What is the response to such a slaying?  Would their consciences be slayed?  Would repentance grow from a heart exposed for self-dependent idolatry?  No.

And when the troops came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.” (1Sa 4.3)

Notice they do not look inward for something that has provoked God to wrath but quickly look outward for something to secure their blessing.  They want to grab God like a genie lamp, march him out on the battlefield, rub him a couple of times and watch him perform.  This is much like the religious people around Jesus during his ministry.  Everyone was always asking for food, health, political success, favor, etc.  But Jesus came to break people down to make humble servants not compliment self-righteous folks who want worship.

We see this today, “Jesus come heal me!” “Jesus, make me rich!” “Jesus, give me all that I ask!”  “Jesus, be my servant!”

Forbid it that we ever act like a divine sports agent, marching God around so that we can get our flesh tickled and our lusts gratified.

We are to be people who have a permanent bruise on our chest from our violent, tear filled cries for mercy.

By the way, in case you forgot how the story ended, the Philistines routed the Jews again.  This time they took down 30,000 men of war, including Eli’s two ‘worthless’ sons.  Furthermore, the ark of the covenant was captured by the enemy.  Eli then finds out about this and when he hears about the ark, he falls over backward and dies.  Phineas’ wife gives birth to his son and then dies.  But not before naming him, with tragic appropriateness, “Ichabod” for the glory has departed.

When the glory of God departs it is because the glory of self has eclipsed it.

It is far better for me to pray for brokenness than it is to whistle for God to come in and win me some glory.

LOAD MORE
Loading