In 1 Samuel 4 proves that the heart matters more than your outward appearance…
The Israelites had the Ark of God. They shouted as if they thought God was with them…
“They shouted so loudly that the earth shook.” (1 Samuel 4:5)
They looked like they had victory over the Philistines…
But God was not with them…
“The ark of God was captured…” (1 Samuel 4:11)
Do ya’ll understand how serious that is?!
They had the APPEARANCE of God… but NOT the PRESENCE of God!!!
“This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” (Matthew 15:8)
All because leadership was corrupt! 😒Thanks to Eli’s sons who were so called “priests” but they were wicked men! They perverted The house of God! They brought corruption to the people of Israel. (1 Samuel 2:12-22)
They disrespected and dishonored God!
And the people just went along with it… smh…
(1 Samuel 2:24)
No repentance. No reverence. No conviction whatsoever… (1 Samuel 3:1)
And we’re seeing the SAME thing today…
People attending church every Sunday, up front at the altar, with their hands lifted while worship songs are playing…
But their hearts are far from God!
Sin is being tolerated. Leadership isn’t being held accountable. And people think just because they “go to church” they’re right with God. Just because they might be holding The Bible in their hands they’re right with God…
and that same thinking is what caused the Israelites to be defeated by the Philistines twice…
(1 Samuel 4:2 & 10)
and risked the Ark of God being stolen SMH!
(1 Samuel 4:11)
You canNOT carry the things of God outwardly
and live any kind of way inwardly!
“Having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:5)
Hannah who is the mother of Samuel, had no title or platform… just a woman broken before God.
(1 Samuel 1:15)
She didn’t look spiritual to people…
BUT she was REAL before God🙌🏼
“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
That’s what true worship looks like🔥🔥🔥
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24)
Loud noise, performance, or routine is not what makes worship real…
it’s the heart behind it!
A surrendered heart🙌🏼
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart-these, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)
STOP playing church!
EXAMINE YOUR HEART!
“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
Because you can be in the building…
and still NOT be with God…
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven…” (Matthew 7:21)