1 Samuel 4:1-5
At that time Israel was at war with the Philistines. The Israelite army was camped near Ebenezer, and the Philistines were at Aphek. The Philistines attacked and defeated the army of Israel, killing 4,000 men. After the battle was over, the troops retreated to their camp, and the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?” Then they said, “Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it will save us from our enemies.”

So they sent men to Shiloh to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, were also there with the Ark of the Covenant of God. When all the Israelites saw the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord coming into the camp, their shout of joy was so loud it made the ground shake! (NLT)

—

God is not a good luck charm.

Carrying a cross in your pocket or into battle will not save or protect you. Wearing a cross around your neck will not ward off evil eyes or angry drivers.

If you are in the habit of wearing a cross or carrying one in your pocket, as I have done off and on through the years, let it be a reminder to turn your thoughts to God as you seek to think on the right things (Philippians 4:8) and to never stop praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Put your faith and trust in God alone, not in silver or gold wearables and carryables.

Where do these ideas come from? Two places in particular help us understand. In Joshua 5:13-15, we find a curious story where Joshua “looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a sword in hand,” (verse 13). Naturally, this brought a question to his mind and his lips: “Are you friend or foe?”

The answer is illustrative: “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the LORD’s army,” (verse 14). Point to take: God isn’t choosing sides between us and our adversaries. Instead, we have to decide if we are going to be on his side, or if we are going to oppose him. Another point to take: He never loses. Always take his side.

Let’s go back to 1 Samuel 4. After losing a battle (verse 2), Israel decided they needed the visible presence of God to go before them into battle. This good luck charm would surely save them. It didn’t. Read the unfortunate, and predictable, outcome in verses 10 and 11:

So the Philistines fought desperately, and Israel was defeated again. The slaughter was great; 30,000 Israelite soldiers died that day. The survivors turned and fled to their tents. The Ark of God was captured, and Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were killed.

1. They lost the battle, and 30,000 soldiers were killed.
2. The Ark of God was captured.
3. Eli’s evil sons were killed.

Israel took an early exit in the first round of the playoffs, just like that football team that used to be really good but hasn’t been in decades.

The Ark of the Covenant was the ultimate amulet in the minds of its bearers and followers. It should have been undefeatable in the world of good luck charms and such. Alas, that’s not the way it works.

God does not want us to desire the trappings of spirituality. He wants us to want more of him. He wants us to know him and bear him in our hearts and upon our countenance. He wants us to have a deep and abiding walk with him, evident to everyone where we live, work, and play. He wants us to conduct ourselves more and more like Jesus.

When we go with God, we don’t need good luck charms. (See Psalm 23.)  Get on his side here and now. Let your jewelry and pocket crosses remind you to get on his side, stay on his side, and offer his side to everyone on the other side. He wants everyone to experience his grace and goodness.

—

I will carry God in my heart and follow wherever he leads.

—

Our Father, thank you for delivering us from superstition. Thank you for inviting us into a relationship with you and onto a mission with you to turn enemies into brothers and sisters in Christ. Bless us with beautiful reminders to conform our hearts to yours and to serve others as you would have us serve. Remind us how success is connected most significantly to how we align our hearts and minds with your purposes. Amen.