"Seeking The Ark - part 2"

"Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood." Psalm 132:6 

In the devotion a few days ago we said that the ark represents the presence of God, and the Israelites were searching for it because it was not where it was supposed to be. They did finally find it-- "in the fields of the wood". The commentaries say that this was a place- the "city of woods". 

 

Wood symbolizes humanity, flesh. When we "lose the presence of God" it is because we are giving into the flesh. When I say we "lose the presence of God", the presence of God is with us always-- He never leaves us nor forsakes us-- I am talking more specifically about the presence that we sense and know is actively involved in our lives. 

 

Giving into the flesh means letting your flesh do what it wants to do and have its own way. It means overindulging in worldly activities, spending too much time on things that your flesh enjoys, and less time on the things that provide a place for God-- Bible study, prayer, fasting, praise, worship. It also means spending your time worrying, gossiping, giving in to unforgiveness and bitterness, etc. 

 

If we are walking after the flesh, instead of the spirit, then we are not yielding to the presence of God. We are not giving Him place; we are not making room for Him. You can't serve two masters. You can't yield to flesh and spirit at the same time. You can't walk in both simultaneously. 

Does the presence of God seem far away in your life? Do you lack the peace and joy that comes from His presence? Does it seem like He is in the distant or the back of your life? Then pay attention to what you are doing each day. Are you giving place and time to Him? Are you living after your own desires? Are you more involved with fleshly or spiritual activity? God doesn't live in flesh. The Israelites brought the ark back to its rightful place of belonging. The rightful place of belonging in our lives is in the spirit and not in the flesh.

 

Have a great day. If the presence of God seems distant in your life, it may be because you have placed Him among the "woods"- the place of flesh.

 

For further reading:

Matthew 6:24

Galatians 5