Today’s 333 Devotional: “Right Question – Wrong Solution”

Once again, Israel and the Philistines squared off in battle, but this time the Philistines won. But why, why didn’t Israel win, they were God’s people after all, and the Philistines served and worshiped false gods?

Let me just say that Israel had the right idea after their defeat, but their solution was all wrong.

“And when the people had come into 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 from Shiloh to us, that when it comes among us it may save us from the hand of our enemies.” (1 Samuel 4:3)

They asked, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines?”

They asked the right question, but instead of going and finding the answer they used their own understanding thinking that the religious symbol of their faith, the Ark of the Covenant, would bring victory. In the end they were routed, and the ark taken captive.

“Why didn’t they seek God’s word?”

The answer is found in the one place where they seldom went, the Bible.

It says in 1 Samuel 3:1; “The word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.”

But why was it not being read? Because of sin! The people didn’t look to God or His word, instead “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6; 21:25)

Today we wonder why we’re not receiving the blessing of God, why we’re defeated, dejected, and discouraged? Could it be that the word of the Lord is just as rare today as it was back then? Are we doing what is right in our own eyes rather than following God’s word?

Let’s start asking the right questions, but then let’s start getting into God’s word and then wait and listen for His reply, rather than going off in our own power and in our own wisdom.