Have a read of 1 Samuel 4-6 to understand this fully, but today I want to focus on 1 Samuel 5:1-5. Here we read that the Ark of the Covenant is captured by the Philistines and taken to Ashdod, a town in Philistia. They then carry it into the temple of Dagon and place it beside the idol of Dagon. Dagon was a god of Philistia designed as half-man and half-fish. (Joshua 8:33 and 1 Chronicles 10:10)
Now remember the Ark of the Covenant or of God, is a symbol of God's presence. To the Israelites, wherever the Ark was there was the Devine Presence. It served as a container of the Covenant Stones, the Ten Commandments, and a pot of manna symbolizing the bread of God from heaven and also Aaron's rod, which was God's choice of the priesthood (Exodus 25:16,21, Exodus 16:33, Numbers 17:10). In 2 Samuel 6 we read that David danced in celebration before the Ark. The Israelites mourned when the Ark was captured because they'd lost God's Presence in their midst.
Isn't it funny that even the idol Dagon couldn't stand in the Presence of God and had to fall on his face before Him!
You see, God is still God and He is a Holy God!
He is the Creator of the Universe and yet He still cares and loves these little creatures called mankind! Sometimes I wonder why He would still bother when the majority of mankind has either created his own gods or decided that he is god!
Even we children of God must be careful that we don't get caught up in this worldly "me" society that we live in today! Even many of God's people have lost reverence for a Holy God. We have made Him our friend, provider, healer etc. we've declared that God is love, (1 John 4:16) and all this is true but we must not forget that Revelations 1:8 says
"I AM the Alpha and the Omega - the beginning and the end,' says the Lord God. ' I am the One Who is, Who was always was, and who is still to come - The Almighty One.'"
He deserves our worship, honour and praise, not just for what He can do for us but for WHO HE is! Even just because He still loves us so much that he thought we were worth Him sacrificing His Beloved Son Jesus, just to save us from eternal hell! He loves us so much that now, because Jesus made the way, we can enjoy His presence any time as we wait for our Lord Jesus to take us all home to live with Him for eternity!
Meanwhile maybe we should take a hint from Dagon! If an idol thinks he should fall on his face in the presence of a Holy God, maybe we should also be careful to come into His Presence with reverence for the great "I Am" the Almighty God!
"Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for He is our God. We are His people He watches over, the flock under His care." (Psalm 95:6-7)
More scriptures: Psalm 84:1-2, 10-12, 95:1-3, 98, Psalm 99:1+9, Psalm 100, Psalm 106:1-5, Psalm 133, 145, 150 and many more!
God Bless you all and have a great week!
Love Giovanna!