And they of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it. 1 Samuel 6:13
A friend once remarked that a Christian is always glad to see another Christian. In fact, she said, a Christian is always glad even to see another Christian’s dog. Most of us have encountered Christians, somebody we didn’t know, at a store, or while on vacation, or at some event, and have been delighted at the warm relationship that occurred between two strangers who belong to the Lord. We also get a thrill out of unexpectedly encountering a billboard with a Gospel text on it, or hear someone singing one of our favourite hymns. There is a delight in encountering the Lord’s people and things that belong to the Lord. That’s why we can appreciate those folks in Bethshemesh rejoicing when they saw the ark of the Lord arrive in their neighbourhood. It was a sight to see: two cows bawling as they drew a cart on which rested the magnificent golden ark. Behind the ark followed a group of Philistines, watching the progress of the ark as it crossed from their land into Israel. Those people were not expecting this. But they rejoiced. They had two reasons for rejoicing: they could see the ark of the Lord, and they saw that ark return to Israel where it belonged.
The ark was the most precious item in all of the Israelites’ worship of God. The centrepiece of the tabernacle worship at that time, it was the very representative of God in their presence. We don’t have a physical ark today, nor do we need one. Even the bread and cup that we take as we eat the Lord’s Supper are only emblems, symbols that bring before us the body and blood of Christ. But we have the Word of the Lord that where two or three have been gathered together in His Name, He is in the midst (Matthew 18:20). The reality that He is in our midst should always cause us to rejoice. Remember how the disciples rejoiced as the Lord appeared in their midst after His resurrection. His presence in our midst today is no less real, and is cause for just as much rejoicing.
Faithful Israelites were broken hearted when they heard that the Ark of The Covenant had been captured and taken away by the Philistines. Many of them no doubt wondered how such a thing could occur to that which belonged to the God of Israel. But it was back! How they must have cheered. So God had not deserted them, after all. And He has not deserted us either. As the Lord’s people today, we experience the reality every day that, despite the world’s rejection and mockery of our Lord, He has not abandoned us. His presence is as near as the opening of His Word, and the bowing of our heads in prayer. We hear a faithful preacher speak a powerful Gospel message, or expound the Scriptures in a word of ministry, and rejoice that God is among us. We see hundreds gather for a Bible conference, and rejoice at the reminder of the presence of the Lord.
If there was ever a day to rejoice at the presence of God in our midst, it’s today! – Jim MacIntosh
Here is the link to the video of this message: https://youtu.be/A_My5bJRros