“And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, the ark of God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god” .... 1 Samuel 3 v 7
The reluctance to give up any idols, even one is very intense a bond so strong, the heart so deceived that man can have both God and an idol so great. Even recognising the truth of Jesus is not enough. To relinquish other idols, again even one be it they be made of stone, wood, or even flesh i.e. family or friends seems impossible.
The blindness that these are idols and gifts from God shows just how deceived we have become in this world. When Jesus asks us to forsake ALL he literally means All!! Jesus left behind, family, no doubt friends, the comfort of his home, the comfort of provision by others and totally relying upon God for everything, yes even the coin in the fish to pay for his taxes. When Jesus spoke to his disciples, sending them out two by two he speaks of taking no script, no extra pair of shoes nothing. Just total reliance upon God. This is the truth faith, such as Abraham had when God asked him to go into another land and a strange land at that. He went in faith and it was counted to him as righteousness.
The blindness of attachment to idols signifies unbelief and also a not knowing of God at all! Sitting on the fence is not a prerequisite to following Jesus. You can’t have your cake and eat it the old saying goes and this is exactly what it means. The cost of following is great indeed! A forsaking 100% is required.
Here in this scripture above the men of Ashdod clearly recognise ‘The ark of God of Israel’ and at the same time speak that it ‘shall not abide with us’. They recognised in part but the fear of whole commitment and relinquishing the things of this world had a greater hold of them. I daresay as today that in a group like that they didn’t want to be separated from their friends or family. They feared men before the ark of God of Israel; Jesus.
I am reminded of the truth of Jesus’ words in John Ch 15 v 4
“Abide in me, and I in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the Vine; no more can ye except ye abide in me” How plain can it be. This is the truth. Jesus is the Truth, the Way and the Life.
“For his hand is sore upon us and upon Dagon our god”
Here we see the split of loyalties. On the one hand they know that the sores upon their heads are from the ark of God; Jesus but still the audacity to proclaim that Dagon is their god!
The dilemma, the torn hearts, deceived by any god, yes even Dagon; for there are many gods today in fact they have increased in number!! Such is our idolatry! Surely we are truly wretched and sinful. Even when Dagon fall openly face down, head and palms dismembered was this not enough for them to fear the Living God who had brought sores unto their heads. No! Giving up idols of any kind upon this earth is very hard indeed. No matter how the men of Ashdod, as indeed the men of today we see the same sinful state of man. They too shunned the ark of God of Israel. Now Jesus is being shunned the final sacrifice from God full of Grace and Mercy to us in our condition. No matter how much we shun Jesus and push Him away His presence for now is around.
Each time Jesus is shunned and pushed away this is rejecting the final act of Grace from God. Rejecting His final offering. Time is running out!
The more the separations occur the more sin abounds the more. Our heart conditions worsen. Knowing and accepting the truth of Jesus, the ark of God also means we have to abide and walk with Him. This is by faith alone no matter the consequences. To do so brings much promise but it is not of this world and here lies the stumbling block.
To trust ultimately in God and to walk in faith with Him costs everything! Jesus spoke plainly about this so plainly he challenged his own disciples whom he had chosen.
Hereby lay our hearts open to God to either allow pride and self-reliance to rule or for God to strip away everything you hold dear to this world. A broken and contrite heart is what the LORD requires. A humbleness of mind an allowing of God to be the head and not man.
The curse to follow other gods is as a blessing because it costs nothing.
The blessing to follow the ark of God of Israel; Jesus costs everything, yes it could cost even your death for truly Jesus says in order to save your life you have to lose it, again Jesus spoke plainly and openly about it. It is written in the WORD of God for He is the WORD made flesh. He spoke it.
For surely death comes to us all there is no mistaking this. Calm reassurances from many who sit on the fences, men pleases do not speak for the God of Israel the LORD. The Holy One of Israel. They speak from the flesh which is ready for the burning as it is withered and died and is fit for nothing. So these purring sultry words speak to our deceitful hearts but they are full of lies and hypocrisy. They do not want to travel the costly path with Jesus so they speak to others in this way therefore leading them astray.
Many have and are sending out of their midst, even indeed as I write the LORD speaks that the Glory has indeed left the temple. Destruction, sores, cankers are breaking out as I write the LORD speaks yet still many cling to their idols which do not speak yet they cling. They will not bring eternal life!
The LORD speaks
Can you not see My Hand of destruction upon the House of God?! It is all out in the open! Refusing me and pushing me to the next city or town will not prevent my withdrawing my judgement!
All of My words will come to pass. There is no delay. Your refusal of Jesus, my Ark is your refusal of My Grace and Mercy.
TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION!
It will soon be gone and then there will be gnashing and wailing of teeth. Will your idols, your gods whom you have relied on save you then?
The sheep and the goats are being separated NOW! IMMEDIATELY! INSTANTLY RIGHT NOW! TODAY!
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW
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