Do we realize the incredible choice we have? To walk with God? To trust Him to guide us? We have so many choices in this world and we can see where some path choices lead that cause great harm to ourselves and to others. This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15. Where do paths lead that cause harm? “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!” Isaiah 30:10-11.

That path in 1 Samuel 4 led to Israel not trusting in God but rather in the Ark of the Covenant. One of the most poignant scenes in The Chosen (Season 3 Episode 8) for me was when the disciples were asking Jesus to just give them more faith thinking that was the answer. He told them it isn’t about how much faith they have; their faith could be as small as a mustard seed…it’s about Who your faith is in. When we realize and embrace that truth, the path we walk on is with God.

Without that faith in the One who was faithful to them, Israel suffered defeat in their battle with the Philistines. So they sent for the Ark. When the Ark arrived in camp, such a great shout went up that the Philistines were afraid the “gods” had arrived that struck the Egyptians so long ago. They didn’t know God, but they also didn’t want to be subject to the Israelites!

The Ark wasn’t God. So the Philistines fought, and the Israelites were defeated and every man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great; Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers. The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died. v. 10-11. So fulfilled what God had told Eli (1 Samuel 2:34). When Eli learned that both of his sons died, he fell over and he, too, died. His daughter-in-law, wife of Phinehas, gave birth to a son and lamented “The Glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” v. 22.

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18.

How do we wait for Him? We trust His love. We ask Him to open our hearts so we can receive understanding that He is right here with us. We begin a walk with Him that is personal as He guides us.

With Him guiding me, I can begin to realize that I cannot do what only God can do. So I trust Him and it begins where it always must, in my heart and mind. I can’t change the world but I can trust Him who has the wisdom and love needed and longs to be gracious and is compassionate. He loves you with a great love and He’s ready to walk with you on a path to Him with Him. He’ll be with you through every storm and challenge and rejoice with you in every joy you embrace. That path with Him is sure. Thank You Lord, for showing us the way with You.