Daily D – 1 Samuel 5:1-5
1 Samuel 5:1-5 After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod, brought it into the temple of Dagon and placed it next to his statue. When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen with his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place. But when they got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen with his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. This time, Dagon’s head and both of his hands were broken off and lying on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso remained. That is why, still today, the priests of Dagon and everyone who enters the temple of Dagon in Ashdod do not step on Dagon’s threshold. (CSB)
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Before you battle God, it would be wise to take full inventory of your incapacities. No matter how big, bad, and tough you think you are, you could end up like Dagon, who lost his hands and then his head. It’s hard to maintain your heart and fight on without hands and a head. It’s also impossible to win any contest against God, even if you keep your head and hands.
There was one guy who wrestled with God all night long. Just when he thought he had gained the upper hand, he discovered God had just been letting him think he was winning. Then with a touch, God disabled his sparring partner. The man who had run from everything his whole life would never run again. (See Genesis 32:24-32.)
Wrestling with God teaches us the value of knowing and experiencing God when we are afraid. God is bigger than what we fear. God will prepare us for what we must face. God will refocus our lives on what matters most. God teaches us what real wins look like.
Fighting God teaches us the uncomfortable reality of our limited capacity. James Weldon Johnson, the African American author and lyricist of the song, Lift Every Voice and Sing, has a poem entitled, The Prodigal Son. In this poem, we find the memorable statement, “Your arm’s too short to box with God.”
When God was moved in with Dagon, the little fish god’s devotees discovered the truth of Johnson’s phraseology.
Wrestle with God all day and all night if necessary. You will lose, and it will be glorious. You will walk away with gratitude and praise.
Fight God however long you choose, but you will still lose. He is too good and too kind to allow you to win a battle that will ultimately destroy you.
A limping Jacob was better equipped to meet his muscled-up brother than when he could outrun and outmaneuver anyone and everyone.
Your incapacity is God’s opportunity to do through you what only he can take credit for.
What are your incapacities? What has God called you to be and do that you are incapable of at this moment? Entrust your life to his heart, his head, and his hands. He will do through a broken you what you could not do if you had to.
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I will bring my brokenness to God knowing he can do more through this than through what I consider my strength.
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Our Father, here I am with my brokenness and bruises. What could you possibly do through me? Whatever it is, it will all be evidence of your greatness and glory. It is not about me. Here I am, such as I am, just as I am. Empower me to full capacity for what you want for me. Amen.
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