The ark of the Lord signified the Lord’s presence among His people.
Even the Philistines, Israel’s enemies, recognized the presence of God
among His people - “the ark of the Lord was come into the camp. And the
Philistines were afraid , for they said, God is come into the camp.
And they said, Woe unto us!” (1 Samuel 3:6-7). When God’s ark was
absent, God’s presence was not among the people - “the glory of the
Lord has departed” (1 Samuel 4:21). When the ark of the Lord,
containing the Word of the Lord, is returned to its rightful place
among God’s people, the blessing of God returns. We need to honour God
and His Word, if there is to be blessing among us. If God and His Word
are taken lightly, there will be no blessing.
“At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem”, the keynote of the service was joyful thanksgiving. They gathered together “to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving” (Nehemiah 12:27). “On that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy” (Nehemiah 12:43). They sang “songs of praise and thanksgiving to God” (Nehemiah 12:46). This joyful thanksgiving is only a foretaste of the greater joy and thanksgiving of heaven: “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). In the city of God, “the glory of God” will be shining with everlasting brightness (Revelation 21:23). The Church of God will be “prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). The beautiful picture of the godly wife in Proverbs 31 gives us an outline of what God is seeking to do in His people. It is summarized in Proverbs 31:30: “A woman who fears the Lord is to be
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