https://odb.org/2025/08/29/the-lost-ark
2 Samuel 6:1–2 (NIV): 6 David again brought together all the able young men of Israel—thirty thousand. 2 He and all his men went to Baalah in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim on the ark.
Below is today’s Scripture insight writeup in ODB:
The Ark of the Covenant was the physical manifestation of God’s presence with the Israelites (2 Samuel 6:2; see Exodus 25:22; 30:6). In one of their battles, they brought the Ark to the battlefield. The Philistines captured it, holding it in Philistine territory for seven months before they returned it to Israel (1 Samuel 4-6). Because of the unfaithfulness of the Israelites, the Ark was neglected and remained in the Israelite town of Kiriath Jearim for another twenty years (7:1-2) before David brought it to Jerusalem and placed it in the tabernacle (2 Samuel 6). Today, God’s presence is with all who believe in Christ.
The key phrase from the above paragraph written by KT Sim is that today, God’s presence is with all who believe in Christ. While God’s presence resided in the Ark of the Covenant since ancient times at the tent of meeting and later at the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle, His presence is now with us through the blood of the Lamb shed on Calvary. The Ark of the Covenant contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, a golden jar of manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, representing Yahweh’s covenant with the Israelites, the miraculous provision of manna in the desert, and the chosen priesthood of Aaron. It was lost during the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem and was never found again.
As much as the blood of Christ redeemed us and made us worthy to stand in God’s presence, we need to sanctify ourselves as the LORD is a holy God. Sanctify ourselves as we come into His presence. Confess our sins, seek His forgiveness, and repent from them. We will be strengthened and changed as we stand in His presence, whether in prayer or worship. He dwells in the praises of His people.
In other words, while God’s presence is now with us, we mustn’t take it for granted. Treat it with utmost respect and be grateful that He is now with and amongst His people in the Spirit. Not the same as in the new Jerusalem and new heaven and new earth at the end of time, but still a foretaste of our eternal glory.
Have a good weekend ahead, everyone! Take a break from work, have a good rest for our weekly time of Shabath, and be refreshed to worship Him in church again! Give Him all glory on Sunday as we celebrate His goodness and grace in our lives!
Ronnie's Thoughts 