When the Ark shows up!

The Ark of the Covenant, also known as the Ark of the Testimony or the Ark of God, was the most precious and revered article of the Tabernacle in the Old Testament. It was placed in the most holy place of the Tabernacle and wasn't open for the public to see, It is where the glory and presence of God hovered and met with His people. The Ark was always to stay in the most holy place. The High Priest was to enter the most holy place only once a year to atone for the sins of the people of Israel (Hebrews 9:7).

However, there was a time in the History of Israel when the Ark of the Covenant left the holy of holies. Such an occasion gives us a blueprint of what the presence of the living God can do and wants to do in our lives. 1 Samuel 5 records this occasion.

Before we get deep into the scripture let me paraphrase what's happening here. The Philistines are taking the Ark from Isreal into their land. However, the Ark causes a lot of problems everywhere it goes. Therefore, the Ark is moved from one city to another. Although it has some significance historically, it has a deeper meaning than it seems. If we have eyes to see, we realize something deeper that applies even today.

When the Philistines captured the ark of God, they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. (1 Samuel 5:1)

The Ark is captured from Ebenezer, Do you know what Ebenezer means? It means “stone of help”. It signified the divine help that came to the Israelites. That same God wants to help you overcome your enemies and failures or anything that you might face!

Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it up beside Dagon. And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and put him back in his place. But when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. (1 Samuel 5:2-4)

Let me tell you what all the names highlighted in the scripture mean:

Philistine - Immigrant

Philistines represent the pain and grief in your life that the enemy has added to you—the additional fat or unnecessary areas of your life.

Ashdod - Stronghold

Ashdod represents the lies and deception that you have given place to. These lies have become strongholds in your life causing damage to your life.

Dagon - pagan god of fertility and looked like a mermaid

Dagon was a pagan god of fertility that represents lust. Lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh cause us to sin and go away from God.

So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” They answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be brought around to Gath.” So they brought the ark of the God of Israel there. 9But after they had brought it around, the hand of the Lord was against the city, causing a very great panic, and he afflicted the men of the city, both young and old, so that tumors broke out on them. 10So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. But as soon as the ark of God came to Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, “They have brought around to us the ark of the God of Israel to kill us and our people.” (1 Samuel 5:8-10)

The next two places the Ark was taken to were Gath and Ekron.

Gath - Hometown of Goliath

Gath represents the Giants in your life—the Goliath in your life that seems impossible to take down

Ekron - eradication/Destruction

Ekron represents the destruction that the enemy has brought into your life to harm you and cause pain—the areas of your life that feel like there is no more life left.

You’ve read the scripture. You know the story. Everywhere the Ark of God went, it brought down the high idol in that place. From the fleshly desires to sin to pain and giants in your life, God can help you turn it all around for good. No matter what you are facing, the answer is in the presence of God. There might be areas in your life that you feel aren’t going to improve at all. Let me tell you that all it takes is inviting the presence of God into that place. Where the ark goes, there is freedom and deliverance.

When the presence of God shows up, every form of darkness must come down. It will be destroyed. All you have to do is allow God into those areas of your life. He will take care of the rest. Often we think we have to overcome the devil with our own strength. No, all you have to do is surrender and let God fight your battles. Let Him do the fighting—the one who’s never lost a battle!

Practice the presence of God. Let it become your norm. It is an intentional decision to allow GOd and let Him into all areas of your life. But when you do, there is joy, peace, freedom, purity, victory, and deliverance. He will help you and be Ebenezer to you. He will never fail you. I implore and encourage you to make a willful choice to dwell in His presence daily because we need Him more every day.