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"MISPLACED FAITH" "So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again." (1 Samuel 4: 4-5)This chapter illustrates the damning consequences of disobedience and misplaced faith. It reveals that sacred objects like the Ark of the Covenant cannot replace genuine obedience and devotion to God.We read here that Israel went to battle against the Philistines and lost. So, they decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the battlefield in the belief that it would make the Lord give them victory. It was bad enough that they brought the Ark, but even worse, they brought those two good for nothing rotten to the bone sons of Eli, both of whom God had already given a pronouncement against. A relationship with the Lord was being replaced with the religion of superstition as they tried to use the Ark to exercise authority over God, rather than the other way around. Bringing the Ark into battle wouldn’t guarantee victory any more than a rabbit’s foot or horseshoe brings its owner good luck. Not only did the Philistines defeat them for a second time, but they also captured the Ark and took it back to one of their cities.Folks, the Lord will not allow His people’s spiritual condition to deteriorate down to a superstitious use of Himself. Spiritual power cannot be obtained by carrying a Bible or wearing a cross. Just like the Ark, these religious things have value only if they move our hearts to draw us closer in our relationship with God. No matter how many religious props a person may accumulate, God will not be manipulated. Most of us are guilty at one time or another of trying to manipulate God when we pray, and we will remain restless until we find our rest in God. God gives us rest for our souls, but often we have something different in mind, something more material. Sometimes well-meaning and even some sincere believers confuse faith and superstition, relying on prayer as some kind of magical chant while holding on to some religious beads. Prayer isn’t our opportunity to tell God what to do, or how to do it. Rather, our privilege as children of God is to lay our needs as well as other people's needs before our loving and caring Heavenly Father.Friends, we should learn from the Israelites' misplaced faith; that our faith must never be in objects, rituals, or frail humans, but in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. In the darkest hours we face, we must remember that His presence goes before us and will never leave us.