There is an expression: There are none so blind as those who will not see. I couldn’t help but think of that expression as I read 1 Samuel 5. The Philistines have captured the Ark and have taken it to one of their cities and into the temple of the god they worshipped, Dagon. In the note below it said: Dagon was the chief god of the Philistines, whom they believed sent rain and assured a bountiful harvest. But the Philistines, like most of their pagan neighbors, worshipped many gods. The more gods they could have on their side, the more secure they felt. That was why they wanted the ark, thinking that if it helped the Israelites, it could help them too. But when the people living nearby began to get sick and die, the Philistines realized that the ark was not a good omen. It was a source of greater power than they had ever seen – power they could not control.

Power they could not control, nor apparently than could Dagon control. After putting the Ark into the temple next to Dagon, they probably went to bed quite pleased. They have heard of the power of the God of the Israelites and now they have the Ark. When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! v. 3. I wonder what they thought looking at their god Dagon face down before the Ark? Whatever went through their minds, they picked him up and put him back. But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. v. 4. What did they learn from this? That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold. v. 5. There are none so blind as those who will not see. They couldn’t let go of their beliefs about their god even though they saw the evidence of the statue broken.

No matter which city they took the Ark to, the people there broke out into tumors. Dagon nor any other gods they worshipped could stop the plagues. So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and said, “Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it will kill us and our people. For death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy on it. Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven. v. 11-12.

I can’t help but wonder what the Children of Israel thought with the Ark captive to the Philistines. Did they worry about the Ark or about themselves without it? If they were worried for the Ark, they needn’t have been. If they were worried for themselves, did it help them to turn back to God? I can’t help but wonder what they thought! The Ark is not God just as the statue of Dagon is not God.

Where does that leave us when our lives are in turmoil? That’s a question we each of us need to ask ourselves. Who or what do we trust in and turn to?

Yesterday I bought a potted plant of the most beautiful yellow tulips. Normally in spring, I buy a bouquet of tulips but they fade so quickly! This morning, the tulips were standing tall and beautiful and I can’t help but notice they lean toward whatever light they find strongest. In prayer, what did God remind me of? Look for good and I am there with you. Let your heart overflow with love secure in Me.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. John 15:1, 5, 9.

The beautiful tulips remain strong within the soil with the light they need bathing them; without the soil they wilt. God created that soil, that light, those beautiful tulips and they are good – and He created you and me to flourish with Him. Jesus is the true vine and the Father is the gardener and they have surrounded us with the beauty they have created and love. No statue is as beautiful. No statue can bind us in love and remain with us. Lord, help us to have eyes to see You and hearts open to receive all You have for us, for Your love is abundant unto eternal life and we need You today to see the good knowing You are here with us working in the good soil you have provided that is our lives. Help us rejoice this day with You! You are good!!!