Israel's National Treasure (the Ark) Is Raided!

Are you superstitious? Is there any harm to carrying a rabbit's foot? What about wearing a St. Christopher's medal for safety? Have you ever observed a baseball player cross himself before coming up to bat? Did it help him?

When Israel faced defeat at the hands of the Philistines they tried to use the ark of the covenant as some kind of lucky charm by which they could channel the power of God to help them conquer their enemies. They have no more success than the evil Nazis in the movie, “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” As a result of their folly and faithlessness Israel is plunged into one of its darkest hours. It appears that the glory has departed.

Here are some questions to consider while listening to this week's sermon. Do people today try to manipulate supernatural powers for their own benefit? Do professing Christians put God to the test as Israel did? How? Where is God's glory displayed today? Are there cases in which the glory of the Lord has departed from a particular place?