Emotional decisions and actions are sometimes more wrong than right. Ask God before acting.

Israel's battle with the Philistines resulted in an overwhelming defeat. A total of approximately four thousand Israelite soldiers died on the field of battle. Even in this day and age with so many people, that number is already so large, let alone that it happened in those days with not as many people as today. Clearly, the leaders of Israel were frightened and perhaps at their wit's end, so their next action was out of line because they regarded the LORD's Covenant Chest as an object that could provide victory, not the LORD. They should have asked the LORD why He let them experience defeat and then introspected. Their actions also seemed to show that they could control the LORD according to what they wanted, not what the LORD wanted. Worse yet, these decisions and actions were initiated by Israel's leaders.

Friends of the Bible, don't we see the actions of Israel's leaders as actions that we also often do? When we face a problem, don't we introspect and reflect on why it happened, what mistakes we have made, is this a warning or punishment from God? Instead, we are busy doing stupid things that do not respect God's holiness, power and sovereignty. Even worse, we try to manipulate God by using religious symbols (objects, verses of the word, rituals, etc.) so that God will do what we want. It is even worse if we do this in the position of a leader who should be a good example in decision-making and action. The result of that is definitely a problem that gets bigger and worse. Remember this: God is God, man is a servant. Man cannot command and order God, let alone use Him. Using religious symbols to "force" God already shows that we are not religious and Godly people.

When we are in trouble we should be silent, pray, read His word, seek His will, and then do it. Not looking for an escape, doing our own will, or doing other foolish and sinful things.

Bible Greetings To All