It Is Not Over

TOPIC: IT IS NOT OVER

TEXT: I SAMUEL 5:1-7

PREACHER: PASTOR J.T. KALEJAIYE

Some situations are considered hopeful, some are considered doubtful and some are considered hopeless. Is your condition doubtful or hopeless? I have good news for you, it is not over yet. When there’s life, there’s hope-- Ecclesiastes 9:4. Today may be bitter, but by God’s grace, tomorrow will be better--- Psalm 30:5^b. In Luke 5, Peter caught no fish despite all the available resources at his disposal.

 He thought it was over and he was prepared to go home but Jesus intervened and gave Peter an overflow of blessings.

According to the above bible text, the Philistines waged war against the children of Israel and they killed thousands of the children of Israel. They also carried the Ark of God which represents the Presence of God. At that moment, God intervened; He killed thousands of the philistines and also smote them with Emerods. Dagon (the god of the philistines) was the first casualty; it fell/bowed before the Ark of God. By the following morning, Dagon scattered before the Ark of God. After dealing with Dagon, God descended on the enemies and killed thousands of them.

LESSONS FROM THE PASSAGE

1.       The presence of God can provoke blessings and disaster: when the Ark was placed in the house of Dagon, Dagon fell and scattered. What a disaster. In II Samuel 6:11, when the same Ark got to the house of Obededom, God blessed him and his household. “It is your connection that determines your collection”. Those who are connected with God will have blessings while those who are connected with Satan will have disaster.

2.       Some people carry their gods but our own God carries us: when Dagon fell before the presence of the Ark of God, the philistines carried it back to its original position.

3.       God is a jealous God: Exodus 20:3-5. Is there any image or any likeness of any kind that people bow down to in your church or office or family? Please, don’t join them. In Daniel 3:8-30, Shedrach, Meshac and Abednego refused to bow/worship the golden image set up by King Nebuchadnezzar. They were cast into the fire but the forth man was with them as He promised in Isaiah 43:2. Their refusal to worship the golden image earned them promotion.

4.       Light and darkness cannot dwell together: God and Satan cannot occupy the same temple. The philistines made a costly mistake; they placed the Ark of God in the house of Dagon. II Corinthians 6:14-16 expatiated on that.

5.       Some people fight for their gods but our God fights for us: Exodus 14:14. Just rest in the Lord and He will take care of the rest.

PRAYER POINTS

1.       Father, I appeal to the court of Heaven, please reverse my ugly case in Jesus’ name.

2.       Father, please fight for me and make me a Victor in Jesus’ name

3.       Father, please don’t let me depart from your presence and don’t let your presence depart from me in Jesus’ name.

4.       Father, please intervene in my situation and let my story change to glory in Jesus’ name.

5.       Every evil and demonic plantation in my life, be uprooted in Jesus’ name.