How should believers respond when witnessing God's power in their lives? The encounter in Ashdod (1 Samuel 5:7) “When the men of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, ‘The ark of the God of Israel must not stay here with us, because His hand is heavy upon us and upon Dagon our god.’” • The Philistines unmistakably recognized God’s power. • Their reflex was self-preservation—remove the ark, avoid the judgment. • Fear of consequences replaced reverent awe of God’s holiness. Lessons from their flawed response • Awareness of divine power is not the same as surrender. • Distancing oneself from God never lightens His hand; it forfeits His mercy. • Terror that flees is different from holy fear that bows. What Scripture presents as the right response 1. Reverent fear – Exodus 14:31: Israel feared the Lord and trusted Him after seeing His might. – Acts 5:11: awe seized the early church when God acted. 2. Humble confession – Luke 5:8: Peter fell at Jesus’ knees, aware of sin in the face of power. – Isaiah 6:5: “Woe is me…” in the presence of the Holy One. 3. Repentance and submission – Acts 3:19: “Repent, then, and turn back…” – 1 Thessalonians 1:9: turning from idols to serve the living God. 4. Worship and thanksgiving – Psalm 96:3: declare His glory and marvelous deeds. – 2 Chronicles 20:18-19: Judah bowed low, then praised loudly. 5. Obedient living – Deuteronomy 10:12: fear the Lord, walk in His ways. – John 14:21: love for Christ shown by obedience. 6. Testimony – Psalm 66:5: invite others to see His works. – Mark 5:19: “tell how much the Lord has done for you.” Practical steps when God’s power is evident • Speak gratitude immediately, attributing all glory to Him. • Search the heart, confess sin, and realign with His Word. • Draw near in worship; do not retreat in self-protective distance. • Celebrate through song, Scripture reading, and fellowship. • Record and share the testimony to bolster the faith of others. • Let the experience fuel consistent obedience rather than momentary emotion. Living under a holy awe Believers who respond with fear, repentance, worship, obedience, and testimony move the ark to the center of life rather than out of sight. Every display of God’s power then becomes an invitation to deeper faithfulness and vibrant witness. |
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