When the Philistines captured the ark of God, they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it up beside Dagon. And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and put him back in his place. But when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the LORD, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. This is why the priests of Dagon and all who enter the house of Dagon do not tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.
1 Samuel 5:1–5, ESV
There is no god above God. For believers and followers of Christ, this is a simple statement of fact. However, there have always been those who have created idols and other gods that attempt to prove otherwise. When the Ark of God was placed before an idol, that idol was forced to submit to God. This account is important and was added to the Word as a reminder to all future generations of what had been told to the writer of 1 Samuel. Those that don’t desire to believe will relegate this to the category of myth or storytelling, but as more of the archaeological record is uncovered, we continue to find further validation of the biblical record. The reality of God’s power is undeniable when we are confronted with the facts. All idols fall when confronted with the power of God, and no belief in self will withstand the struggles of the world, but an abiding faith in God can carry a faithful person through the darkest of times. The Bible and the words within our Holy Scriptures are life-giving and bread to a starving soul. We no longer have to fear the ark being captured, nor do we have to fear the Tabernacle being destroyed. When we first believe and accept the gift of faith that our Lord gives, He builds His tabernacle in our hearts, and the ark is placed there as we look upon Jesus and know that our God is with us. If only the Philistines had turned from their ways and believed, but they were not a chosen people at the time, but, in Christ, we know that the door has been opened and the veil has been torn. Let us pray for all to lay down their idols and believe in the one true God.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.