October 14 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

1 Samuel 6:1–14

Devotional

The people of Bethshemesh had a joyful Thanksgiving Day. It was not so much because of the harvest, but more because of the Ark of the Covenant. The ark had returned to Israel.

Why was the joy about the return of the ark so immense? The reason was that the ark represented the presence of God. The ark stood in the holy of holies. God dwelled between cherubim upon the mercy seat of the ark. It was the sign that the Lord was in the midst of Israel. If the ark was not there, it meant that God was not present.

It was Israel’s own fault that the ark had been in the possession of the Philistines. Now when the ark returns, this is an indication that the Lord wishes to dwell again among the people. This constitutes the joy of the reapers of Bethshemesh. They were reaping and were gathering in the harvest, but what does a good harvest profit man if God is not present? That is why these men rejoice when they see the ark. No wonder they drop their scythes. No wonder that right in the middle of harvest time they offer God a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

It was a joyful Thanksgiving Day in Bethshemesh. It was not so much because of the gifts of God, but much more because of the God of the gifts. Is this also how we conduct a Thanksgiving Day? We again have been gladdened with well-stocked barns; the fields have again brought forth a rich harvest, but the issue is whether we are joyful because of eating and drinking, or do we rejoice in the Lord?

There are many who would be far too busy with the harvest if something like the arrival of the Ark of the Covenant were to happen again. There are many who are so attached to earthly things that they would have no time to build an altar to the Lord. But what is more important—the benefits or the Benefactor? Many people have enough in the blessings and have no need of Him who gave these blessings. If that is the case, then they have never had a true Thanksgiving Day—a joyful Thanksgiving Day. True joy can only be experienced when God who gives the blessings is present in the benefits. Then daily blessings are crowned with God’s presence.

Whether you have much or little is insignificant when you have God as your portion. It can even be a Thanksgiving Day when you stand under a cross, or in difficulties, or distresses. To have much is never enough for an unthankful man. To have enough does not mean to have much, but to have enough, that is much. Then you have enough in the God of all blessings. In that way Thanksgiving Day will be a day of joy. Then you will say, “I have all things.” To have gifts is wonderful, but to have the Giver is everything! How much do you have? Do you have much or do you have everything?

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.