Glory Judgement

And about the time of her death the women attending her said to her, Fear not, for you have borne a son. But she did not answer or notice. And she named the child Ichabod (no glory, inglorious), saying, The glory is departed from Israel!--because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. She said, The glory is gone from Israel, for the ark of God has been taken. 1 Samuel 4:20-22

In this passage we see the glory of God leave, depart from Israel.  The glory of God, His presence, His goodness goes with the ark, His dwelling, His chosen sanctuary when it is captured by the Philistines.  God allows this to happen because of the wickedness of the priests in Israel.  

Something that strikes me is that God's glory can inhabit a nation, a people group! The departure of His glory can be felt so much so that it causes a woman who just gave birth to a son to be utterly in despair.  She has one thing on her mind: God's glory has left us!  She even names her son after that terrible thought, and finds no strength to go on living.  

Now that is serious!  If we knew of God's glory departing from us would we lament?  Is the wickedness in our land so great that His glory has left?  Where is His dwelling place in these days?  Are we not the dwelling place of Holy Spirit, who is God?  But how can such a Holy God make His dwelling place near such unclean people?  By theBlood of The Lamb, the chosen Lamb, Jesus, God's Son, who paid the price for our sins.  Not that we should go on sinning, but that we should give God the glory and honor due Him, by looking to Jesus for life, joy, peace, all satisfaction, because every good thing comes from God, and without Him there is no good things.

 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “ God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 

James 4:4-6 (nkj)

  And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:22

Oh God! You are Holy! You are blameless, powerful, and righteous.  Truth and love, mercy and judgment are shown in Your faithfulness as You deal with us, Your chosen ones.  Thank You for choosing to love us!  Thank You for removing the gap between our hearts!  Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, that we may feel Your glory, and cry out when it departs!  Let it not depart!  Let Your praise be upon our lips constantly remembering Your mercy in sending Your Son to dwell among us that we may enjoy Your presence forever!  Thank You God!  Purify our hearts and hands, we plead the blood of Jesus and ask for mercy for ourselves and our country.  Lead us God!  We will follow You till the day we see Your face and forevermore!  I love You Father, You are good and Your mercy endures forever!