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Israel was at war with the Philistines and at one time, Israel was defeated by them, killing around 4000 men. So they sat back and thought, what could be the reason. Then they said, 'Lets bring back the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, IT will save us from our enemies.
Two things came to my mind when I read this today morning.
🔹The world thinks it is good to bring God to your plans and your things. That is why man keeps a picture of his god everywhere possible. 
In his wallet, so that He would bless his finance. 
In his vehicle so that he can see or touch him when he drives.
In his office space so that he can pray to his god when things go tough.
Students draw the symbol of their God in their books to receive unseen blessings in their studies.
It is good to place God in the centre of your plans. But it is better to keep yourself in the centre of God's plans for you.
The former is religiosity and piety and being devotional. The latter is devotion, complete surrender and submission.

It is a love relationship and a trust which is based on that. We have a God who says ' I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you' and 'I have loved you with an everlasting love'
Why do we bring God to our decisions? So that it would work out well for us?

🔹Secondly Israel thought "IT" would save them from their enemies. Their trust was in the Ark of the covenant, not the Lord Himself. Many a times we put our trust in the wrong things.
Because I've paid alms.
Because I have prayed.
Because I've done good things.
Because I've kept a pic of my God in my book.
We tend to forget, all my good works are like filthy rags. It is not the goodness of my works that is going to bring blessings. But the goodness of my God.
And when I realize this, nothing else matters. We realize even if all doesn't go well with me (apparently), it is ok. God is good. All things work for good, for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. We realize a shut door, is not an end, but a redirection into God's plan to prosper us.
I wanted to be an ophthalmologist, but God had different plans. When He shut that door, what if I had tantrums and I cried and shouted? Probably God would have granted. But I would have missed the beautiful and wonderful plan He had for me. 

So focus on God who loves you.
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