When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set it in its place again. And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon's torso was left of it.
1 Samuel 4:16
When the Philistines captured the ark of the covenant, they knew that they had something most precious concerning the God that the Israelites worshiped. They had stolen the vessel that carried the power of God and were thrilled of this precious item. They knew how important it was to the Israelites and placed it in their temple with their diety, Dagon, for now they had two of the most powerful things that was worshiped on the earth at that time by the two nations, their god Dagon and the ark of the covenant, standing side by side. I can just imagine how they must have broken out in dance and declarations of joy because they had captured the most important thing that Israel owned...the ark of the covenant. The Israelites cried that the glory had departed from them and the Philistines rejoiced because they had the glory. But the glory has a cost and they were sure to find out. How precious the ark of the covenant was to the Israelites and how depressed they were to have lost it to the Philistines.
The Philistines visited their temple to see the captured treasure and to show their respect to their god, Dagon, only to find that he was laying on his face. They quickly stood him back up and the next day when they visited the temple again, Dagon's head and palms were broken off. The head prophetically represent authority and the hand represent the anointing. For the power of any god is in the hands and the head. The dreaded ark of the covenant was still intact where they had placed it. The thing that they shouted over was now a curse to them and they met to find a way to discard it. Their god couldn't stand next to it and they knew that there was a price for stealing it. Play with the anointed thing and it will cost you more than you want to pay.
How many of us proclaim to be carriers of the glory of God, yet we will hang out with accursed people all day long? How can those who are filled with darkness within them be our best friends? How can they stand in the presence of the living God within us? Maybe some of us are flat foot lying to ourselves about being saved! If you are a carrier of the glory of God, how do you find pleasure in those who don't know Him or worse yet, totally disrespect Him? I will tell you right now by the authority of the Living God, that this word will not be pleasurable for those who are playing church, but my intent is to shake you up to run after the real thing.
If an inanimate vessels made by human hands, can fall flat on its face next to the vessel that is filled with the glory of God, how can human vessels who are filled with every kind of evil be yoked with you? How can darkness and light yoke together? What do you have to talk about? How can you walk together going in opposite directions; one to the light and the other to darkness? Please, I beg you, cry out to God and ask Him to show you His truth! You have masqueraded this thing far too long!
Hear what happened to the Philistines...
There neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon's house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day. 1 Sam 5:5
In other words, because of the power of the ark of the covenant in the temple of Dagon, no one, not even the priests will step on the threshold when they enter. They understood that God just didn't play that.
Here's more:
But the hand of the Lord was heavy on the people of Ashdod and He ravaged them and struck them with tumors both Ashdod and its territory. And when the men of Ashdod saw how it was, they said, "The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, for His hand is harsh toward us and Dagon our god. 1 Sam 5:6-7
Here's the question:
Is anyone crying out from the darkness that your presence is too much for them? Are they convicted by your presence to change or do you join them in their foolish and dangerous behavior? None of the religious leaders desired to hang out with Jesus; His presence was too much for them and they sought to discredit him at best and kill him at worst. They loved being called anointed and bragged about their positions, but they were really empty and lost vessels. They were shouting loud and saying nothing; at least nothing to cause people to change into the image of God. Too many leaders are drawn to the things of the world and they are driving their followers to that same darkness. How can two walk together unless they be in agreement?
The Bible states that in the last days, the people will be drawn to certain leaders because the people have itching ears. Too many people want to hear another gospel and the leaders are giving it to them because they are afraid that the people will leave. We have bills to pay, it costs to run a church or ministry, no matter how small or large. No one is giving free mortgages or rent, electricity, water, gas or phone bills. Our anointing means nothing to our creditors and they don't care about your heart to serve; they only want you to show them the money. That's understandable. But we can't be moved by fear of members leaving. It is true that those who have itching ears will leave; they will...they will find someone else who will say what they want to hear or what you refuse to say. Too many leaders want to look and image the world. "Come out from among her and be ye separate," says the Lord of Hosts! Leaders, stick to the script of the Word of God. Don't be bullied by those who can give you lots of money, praise or position; don't sell out. Stay humble in your heart and true to the gospel message that you have received from God. Stay faithful to the call of God and remember, if you don't, their blood will be on YOUR hands!
As leaders, we must bring people to the heart of Jesus, but we must know His heart for ourselves. Humility is the trademark of a person that is close to God, because a humble person will not try to steal God's glory. We will always point the people to God and not ourselves. our joy will see them operate in the power and authority of God to fulfill their kingdom purpose. Jesus said that His power will follow those who believe the words of those who preach the gospel. What are we producing?
For those who stand tall before the Living God and proclaim His word, this is good news for you. Don't worry about the dead thing that Satan sends to attach itself to you; God has given you a breaker anointing and all the power you need to stand tall before man and principalities. God will deal with those who deal treacherously with you. Jesus hand selects those who He has set apart for ministry and as five-fold ministry gifts. He will contend with those who contend with you. Fear not, for the Lord is with you. Satan wants to destroy the leaders and ravage the people. Leaders must support one another in love, prayer and intercession. Please don't be a jealous hater and despise those who are doing well with large ministries. God adds to the house as He sees fit; not you. For those with large churches, don't be prideful and arrogant thinking that your hands built your ministry; God did, not you. If you are preaching the truth, it is up to God who will join your House and He will add. If you have a little flock, don't despise those who have large churches, God gave you what you could handle; rejoice and be faithful in what He has given to you. Jesus will come with His reward to those who have been faithful in much and those who have been faithful in little; just be about His business.
If you stood next to Dagon, who will fall, you or him?
No comments:
Post a Comment