I Samuel – 2
Monday, January 25, 2010
A Testimony to Keep
(I Samuel 4:6-10)
Whether they admit it or not, unbelievers expect something out of professed Christians; and they are—at least inwardly—disappointed when we fail them. The reason this is so is that the Christian religion has a good reputation, even among the heathen. While negative examples and the shameful misdeeds of some believers make the spotlight for a while, overall even unbelievers acknowledge the good and transforming influence of the Bible upon individual lives and society as a whole.
When, however, God’s people fail to live up to Christianity’s reputation, the name of God is “blasphemed” among the heathen (Rom. 2:24). It is in those unfortunate moments that the unsaved harden their hearts to the Gospel, inwardly disappointed that the Gospel may not actually have the power to make a difference, should they ever feel inclined to believe.
In today’s passage, we find that Israel’s God, Jehovah, had quite a reputation among the Philistines. Though, like Israel, they failed to differentiate between religious relics and God Himself, the Philistines had heard stories of Israel’s deliverance from the mighty Egyptian army. They feared (perhaps more than Israel) the presence of Jehovah! From God’s reputation alone, they expected sound defeat.
Imagine the Philistines’ surprise when they again routed Israel (10)! Imagine their gloating over Israel’s military impotence! Imagine their disappointment that Israel’s God appeared no more powerful than their own. The lesson is simple: We have God’s reputation to uphold before a doubting but secretly hopeful world. We must not, like Israel of old, disappoint them. We have God’s testimony to keep!
