Tuesday, 10 December 2019

1 Samuel 6:10-12 – Responding to God


First Samuel 6:10-12 describes what the Philistines did with the counsel of their priests and diviners. Putting the counsel into action, the Philistines took two milch cows away from their calves and harnessed them to a new cart. The Ark of the LORD and a box with the five golden mice and five golden tumors for their guilt offerings were then put on it. And the cart pulled by the two milch cows was set on the road. Immediately, we are told that the cows took the cart with the Ark and the box of golden objects on to the highway towards the direction of Beth-shemesh. They did not deviate to the right or to the left but went lowing on the highway. Why the lowing as they went?

Habitually, the cows would have drifted towards their calves, but they did not. Instead, they went against their proclivity. That’s why they went lowing as they proceeded. Using our sanctified imagination, we surmise that it’s because the cows were working against their natural tendency. They acted the way they did because of the unseen hand of God guiding them to go against their natural inclination for the sake of His people. It was not natural for them, but who and what can stand in the way of God? Through this, God was showing us that nothing is ever outside of His control, especially when it concerns the life and affairs of His people. We notice that all this while the lords of the Philistines were watching because they were following the cart pulled by the cows, heading towards Beth-shemesh.

From the lowing of the cows, we learn a lesson. When God uses us as His instrument, He may require us to go against our proclivity. We can either resist Him and keep on murmuring and complaining or we can yield to His working and start praising and giving thanks. The cows did not know of a better way, but we do. We can praise Him and give thanks regardless. So, we must give thanks in everything for it’s the will of God concerning us. This whole incident describes here also confirms for us the truth which the Apostle Paul so eloquently said in Romans 8:28. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” There is a certainty about it. Paul did not say, “we suppose” or, “we think” or “we guess” but “we know.” Regardless of what is happening to us, whether the circumstance is challenging or peaceful, the unseen hand of God is certainly at work to bring out the best for our good and for His glory. All He needs from us is our trust, and to co-operate and yield. He is working the best out of every circumstance that happens in our life. All glory belongs to Him!


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