What steps can we take to ensure God remains central in our community? The urgent lesson behind 1 Samuel 5:8 “So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked, ‘What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?’ ‘Send the ark of the God of Israel away,’ they replied. ‘Let it return to its place so that it will not kill us and our people.’ For the terror of death had filled the city; God’s hand was heavy upon it.” The leaders recognized God’s power but chose to distance themselves rather than submit. Their question still echoes: “What shall we do with the presence of the Lord in our midst?” Below are practical steps that move us in the opposite direction—keeping God at the very center of community life instead of pushing Him to the fringes. Step 1 — Welcome His presence instead of relocating it • Settle in our hearts that God does not merely visit; He reigns (Psalm 132:7-8). • Integrate gatherings around His presence—whether it’s worship, planning meetings, or service projects. • Measure decisions by one simple test: Will this make Christ more visible among us? (Colossians 1:18). Step 2 — Treat His holiness with reverent awe • The Philistines felt the weight of His hand; Scripture invites us to bow willingly (Isaiah 6:3). • Remove anything known to offend Him (Joshua 7:13). • Celebrate the Lord’s Supper regularly, examining ourselves so we do not “eat and drink judgment” (1 Corinthians 11:28-30). Step 3 — Keep the Word open and obeyed • Public reading of Scripture was central in Israel (Deuteronomy 31:11-13) and the early church (1 Timothy 4:13). • Build gatherings where the text is explained and immediately applied (Nehemiah 8:8). • Encourage every home to discuss and memorize the Word (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Step 4 — Lead with shared repentance • God promises to heal a land that humbles itself and seeks His face (2 Chronicles 7:14). • Make confession normal, not rare (James 5:16). • When sin surfaces, deal with it transparently (Acts 5:1-11 reminds us how seriously God takes purity). Step 5 — Establish rhythms of corporate worship and prayer • The early believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). • Set fixed times of united prayer—morning, evening, or before decisions (Psalm 141:2). • Use singing to rehearse truth and stir affection (Colossians 3:16). Step 6 — Appoint God-centered leadership and seek godly counsel • Elders are to “shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). • Create plural, accountable leadership so no one person relocates the “Ark” for convenience. • In every dilemma echo the apostles’ pattern: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (Acts 15:28). Step 7 — Pass the torch to the next generation • Tell the coming generation “the glorious deeds of the LORD” (Psalm 78:4). • Involve children and youth in worship, service, and mission rather than sidelining them. • Celebrate testimonies of God’s faithfulness so memory of His acts stays fresh. Step 8 — Guard the cultural gateways • Evaluate entertainment, education, and technology by Philippians 4:8. • Encourage members to live missionally in workplaces and neighborhoods (Matthew 5:14-16). • Address false teaching swiftly (Titus 1:9). Step 9 — Expect the blessing of His nearness • Where the Ark rested obediently in Israel, “the LORD blessed Obed-Edom and all his household” (2 Samuel 6:11). • Anticipate joy, unity, and spiritual fruit when Christ is honored (John 15:4-5). Pulling it together The Philistines’ mistake was to move God’s presence out of reach. Our privilege is to draw near, align every facet of community life with His revealed will, and watch Him display His glory among us. |
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