Superstition?

Or Faith in Christ?

Read 1 Samuel 4:1-11

"And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies."

1 Samuel 4:3

The events recorded for us in 1 Samuel 4, are a sad chapter in the history of God's chosen people of Israel. The elders of Israel did not understand why the LORD God had enabled their enemies, the Philistines, to defeat them in battle and kill about 4,000 of their soldiers (vv.1-3). They failed to see how God's people, and even God's priests, had turned aside from following the LORD and obeying His commandments (cf. 2:12ff.; 3:10ff.). But instead of humbly turning to the LORD for His mercy and help, they sent to Shiloh and brought the ark of the covenant, thinking that it would save them from their enemies and give them victory (vv.3-5). Instead of trusting in the LORD, they superstitiously trusted in an object, which was intended to move God's people to trust in the LORD and His mercy and to come to Him for salvation! Of course, the results were disastrous; for Israel was defeated before the Philistines, Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were killed, and the ark itself was captured by the Philistine armies (vv.6-11).

Sad to say, this very same thing happens today! Just think about the Christian symbol of the cross. It is meant to remind us that Christ died and paid in full for our sins and then rose again. Yet people often wear crosses, or make the sign of the cross, to bring good luck in life (even in a ball game), or to ward off evil. People place crosses on graves and read God's Word at funerals even if they or their departed loved ones had no faith in Christ. Many homes have a Bible on the shelf or coffee table, and religious paintings and plaques on their walls; but they do not read the Bible or consider the messages portrayed in these paintings or plaques? Even Christians sometimes think that their attendance at religious services, or recitation of certain prayers, will bring God's favor and blessing upon them (cf. Matt. 6:7ff.). But all superstitious use of God and His name has the same result: Jesus says, "Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:21-23).

Superstitious use of God and His name will do us no good! As the people of Israel should have repented of their sin and evil and turned to the LORD God Himself for His forgiveness and help, rather than thinking the ark of the covenant would save them from their enemies, so we also should acknowledge and repent of our sins and turn to the LORD God to forgive us and save us for the sake of Jesus Christ and His innocent sufferings and death in our stead upon the cross. God tells us and all people: "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:7). Jesus Christ is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6); "neither is there salvation in any other" (Acts 4:12). "Jesus Christ the righteous...is the propitiation for our sins," and "for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:1,2). "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:8,9). Religious superstition will get you no where! If you have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be saved! (Cf. Acts 16:31; Mark 16:16).

O Holy Spirit, grant us true faith in Christ Jesus, our Savior, so that we repent of our sins and trust in Him alone for our salvation. We ask this for the sake of the blood of Jesus, shed upon the cross for our sins. Amen.

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