Putting Faith in the Material

Samuels reading describes the death of Eli upon hearing news about Israel’s war with the Philistines. If we look back in the bible at we read that the Ark is carried into battle:

English Standard Version Chapter 10

And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). () Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

And here in todays reading of Samuel it seems that there was a mechanical and erroneous trust in the tangible, perceptible presence of the Ark that turned out to be disastrous, and maybe more trust should have been placed on the spiritual and the profound glory of God’s presence. The Israelites put their fate on that material presence of the ark and when the ark of God was taken, that visible sign of God’s presence was taken, Israel was left without glory. In a state of darkness and dispair. Without God. Hence the name Ichabod meaning ‘without glory’.

But the Israelites had perhaps placed too much stock on the outward and visible sign of God’s presence and had forgotten the awe of God’s omnipresence. The Philistines who had taken the ark would soon learn about God’s omnipotence when they incurred the outbreak of disease and famine that would escort the ark that they had stolen. But it seems like Israel had put so much importance into the material sign that they forgot the true power and glory of God. Undoubtedly the ark was a holy and sacred object, but God’s presence extends far beyond just the holy and sacred spaces. Israel’s God, our God, is certainly not confined only to sacred items or places for He is everywhere, and this reading warns us of the despair that awaits us if we put so much faith in the material world around us that we neglect or forget the spiritual.

Its incredibly easy in todays world to let external and materialistic things influence us. Materialism is something we have all probably gotten caught up in and will probably continue to get caught up in because thats the world we live in. The Israelites certainly let the material outward and visible signs affect and influence them, and we have seen examples throughout the bible of the Israelites being distracted from God and so just imagine how much more difficult the temptation would be now because its presented to us twenty four seven in possibly even more potent forms. It is a struggle. Society now tends to make us believe that our sole happiness and self-worth is determined by what we own and the name brand that manufactured the item. When the Israelites lost the Ark, this important symbol of Gods presence, they were lost and the nation fell into a state of darkness and despair. Materialism in todays age has been linked to depression and anxiety, both of which make people feel lost in a state of emotional darkness and despair. Because society is constantly putting pressure on people to make the big bucks, have nice stuff and attain the western cultural definition of success if you aren’t accomplishing these things then by societies standards you are a failure and no one wants to think of themselves as a failure.

The Israelites in our first reading undoubtedly faced trials. They faced the trial of war. Eli faced the trial of the loss of his sons and then, upon hearing of losing the ark, he lost his own life. Then the poor wife of Phineaes is birthing a son whilst dying and bestows upon the son a name befitting one who is responsible for the glory departing from Israel. Then of course we have all of the Israelites mourning what they believe to be the loss of the presence of God! For they had put their faith in the ark instead of in the boundless, immeasurable power of God, instead of the Father Himself.

And even if you can afford to keep up with the technology and styles at all times it changes so constantly that its exhausting. These struggles are particularly difficult for young adults and tees who have to attain high grades to get good jobs to make lots of money to buy all of the stuff we are told we need to have to be happy and lead a good life and when we fail to do so we see a rise in depression, anxiety, divorce and suicide. Darkness and despair surely follows when we are consumed by these goals alone.

This is not to say the material is irrelavent. We live in a world that is material. God created us as physical beings and we have physical needs but often our desires stretch far beyond our needs into extravagent wants. These are struggles we all live with every day as human species.

The Israelites then were not the last to feel like they were left in a state of darkness and despair and forgot even for a moment about the immeasurable glory of God. Put their faith in something else. Take a look around. So many people put their faith in money or power or fame. It’s hard to turn on the news and not feel in a state of darkness. People with physical and mental illness struggle with this all of the time. But through our merciful Father we are always welcomed back and we are shown the way through the light of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Epistle reading from James we hear of the value of the trials that we will endure throughout our lives. The time of trial is a time in which lessons can be learned. We are tried everyday. Its a struggle and many days we will faulter. In these weak moments when we struggle and we feel we have given in or feel lost or left in the dark we simply have to remember what Jesus told us ()

The New Revised Standard Version Jesus the Light of the World

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

The New Revised Standard Version Jesus the Light of the World

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

The New Revised Standard Version Jesus the Light of the World

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishe

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

We may feel lost in this world when we sin and make mistakes, but we are never alone and never have to feel in despair or in the dark because of Jesus Christ and His great sacrifice for us. So those times when we have found ourselves putting too much stock into wealth or fame then it doesn’t mean we are completely lost to God. We have just wandered off the path and the light of the world is so bright that if we look into our hearts and find we really want to get back on track then we ask forgiveness and the path is so brightly lit that you can’t miss it.

Its easy to become distracted. Its okay to take joy from things around us and things that give us joy, but we should always put our faith in God especially in an age that puts its faith in things. We as people need certain things, want certain things, but we don’t need to be like the Israelites in this reading and equate the material with God’s presence. We as Christians are able to understand that in times where we find ourselves putting too much pressure on ourselves or find ourselves falling into a spiral of sin, darkness and despair we have Christ, the light of the world, to remind us we are truly loved and not alone and that when we faulter we are not lost to God, it is an opportunity to ask forgiveness, to learn and to try to move forward. And so we, as followers of Christ, have the ability to help others who are left in darkness and despair.

And so I would like to leave you with a quote from one of my many favourite authors. Leo Tolstoy had a great way of summing up our goals as Christians, how Christians should try to live their lives. “A person who follows the external law alone (that is the social/cultural law) is like someone standing under the light of a lantern attached to a post. He stands there because that is where the light is, and he has no need to go any further. A person following Christ’s teaching is like someone carrying a lantern in front of him attached to a pole of indeterminate length. The light always goes on ahead, constantly encouraging him to follow, and constantly revealing newly illuminated terrain, drawing him ever onward.” We can be like the person standing under a lamp because there is no need to go any further and because we believe that by following the rules and laws set out for us is enough or we can follow Christ’s example and live the way Christ has intended us to. By always going forward, looking ahead and leaving the sins of the past in the darkness behind us. By illuminating new terrain, we can see past external expectations and reflect internally and look at how Christ brings comfort and peace to us and reflect on how we can share this with others. We should focus on what blessings we have now and what blessings lie ahead of us and leave behind the baggage of sin and regret that burdens us and slows us on our journey. We can do this all because we know that Christ is with us and will guide us on our way.

We are not left in the dark.All of us have the light of Christ in us to guide us, to help us navigate Gods presence in our lives and very few ignore it completely and allow evil to control 100% of them, most allow at least some light to guide their morals. As believers, we are called to go a step further. And so I would like to leave you with a quote from one of my many favourite authors. Leo Tolstoy had a great way of summing up our goals as Christians, how Christians should try to live their lives. “A person who follows the external law alone (that is the social/cultural law) is like someone standing under the light of a lantern attached to a post. He stands there because that is where the light is, and he has no need to go any further. A person following Christ’s teaching is like someone carrying a lantern in front of him attached to a pole of indeterminate length. The light always goes on ahead, constantly encouraging him to follow, and constantly revealing newly illuminated terrain, drawing him ever onward.” We can be like the person standing under a lamp because there is no need to go any further and because we believe that by following the rules and laws set out for us is enough or we can follow Christ’s example and live the way Christ has intended us to. By always going forward, looking ahead and leaving the sins of the past in the darkness behind us. By illuminating new terrain, we can see past external expectations and reflect internally and look at how Christ brings comfort and peace to us and reflect on how we can share this with others. We should focus on what blessings we have now and what blessings lie ahead of us and leave behind the baggage of sin and regret that burdens us and slows us on our journey. We can do this all because we know that Christ is with us and will guide us on our way.