How can we apply the reverence shown in 1 Samuel 6:18 today? Full verse “The number of the gold rats was according to the number of Philistine towns belonging to the five rulers — the fortified cities and their country villages. And the large rock on which they set the ark of the LORD is a witness to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh.” – 1 Samuel 6:18 Reverence Observed in the Passage • The Philistines returned the ark with costly, symbolic offerings, admitting God’s supremacy. • Israelites received the ark onto a large, immovable stone, marking the site as sacred. • Scripture records the stone “as a witness to this day,” underscoring lasting remembrance of God’s holiness. Principles for Today • God’s holiness deserves tangible honor, not casual treatment. • Visible reminders help God’s people remember His works. • Reverence involves both heart attitude and concrete actions. Living It Out Day to Day • Treat corporate worship spaces, the Lord’s Table, and baptismal waters with deliberate dignity. • Invest resources (time, talent, treasure) in offerings that reflect God’s worth, not leftovers. • Establish “stone” reminders: – Frame and display verses marking answered prayer. – Keep a journal of God’s interventions for family reading nights. – Celebrate spiritual milestones with gatherings that spotlight the Lord, not ourselves. • Speak of God and Scripture with measured, respectful words—avoiding flippant jokes that diminish sacred truth. • Guard digital habits: pause before posting memes or comments that trivialize holy matters. • Model reverence to children: walk them through why we handle Bibles carefully, bow heads in prayer, and prioritize worship gatherings. Supporting Scriptures • Psalm 29:2 – “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.” • Ecclesiastes 5:1 – “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God.” • Hebrews 12:28-29 – “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and so let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” • Joshua 4:6-7 – Stones from the Jordan placed as a memorial “so that this would be a sign among you.” Summary Reverence in 1 Samuel 6:18 is demonstrated through costly offerings, a marked sacred place, and an enduring testimony. Today, believers mirror that honor by treating God’s presence, Word, and works with visible respect, intentional remembrance, and daily choices that declare His unmatched holiness. |
    |