In 1 Samuel 4 the army of Israel went out against the Philistines to battle and as was typical, Israel went to battle trusting in their own military power and the first day lost 4,000 men. As you can imagine that made the people a little nervous looking to the remainder of this war. So the people got together and this was their conversation – “Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies” (vs. 3).
A person’s initial reaction might be favorable. Finally they were turning to God, placing their trust in Him, and submitting to His charge. Had He not promised them victory if they would do that (Joshua 1:1ff)? Sadly, though, upon further inspection they were not placing their trust in God. They were trusting in the ark to save them. It was nothing more than a good luck charm. They might as well have looked for a four-leaf clover or rabbit’s foot. As far as their intentions were concerned they would have been just as well off. Because they still did not trust God He did not deliver them. They suffered an incredible defeat that left an impact on the nation for years.
But you know, as much as we may look down on Israel for their inept approach to their relationship with God, we often do the same thing. Sometimes we demote God to the level of good luck charm in our lives when we do, or don’t do certain things. We make God nothing but a good luck charm when we make it a point to own a Bible but not to read it, when we make sure to go to church with Christians on occasion but never take time to be one ourselves, or when we encourage our children to do right to make ourselves look good though we have no interest in doing right.
The truth is that God has called us to a much greater reality. A reality that exists beyond the mere prospect of what people see, hear, or know about your life. God has called us to develop a self-contained identity as a true disciple, a servant. A Christian in public and a Christian in private. A truly separated person, set apart for the master’s use and prepared unto every good work (2 Timothy 2:21). But like with Israel, we can be certain that nothing good will come when God becomes a good luck charm.
-Andy