“So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and said, ‘Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it will kill us and our people.’ For death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy upon it. Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.” I Sam 5:11,12 NIV
As this part of the story goes the Philistines had captured God’s Ark of the Covenant in a battle with the Hebrew people. God had determined that because of Israel’s sin His Ark would no longer dwell among them. But the Philistines gave Him even less reverence than the children of Abraham; So city by city God humbled the Philistine people with a plague until at last the Ark arrived at the city of Ekron as I Samuel 5:12 says:
“God’s hand was very heavy upon it. Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.”
God is going to be glorified by humans either with shouts of triumph or cries terror. We do not determine whether or not our lives will bring Him glory only how! With Christ’s death and resurrection all mankind is given a choice to face or escape the wrath of God. We can either accept Jesus’ death as payment for our sins or continue in disbelief and face the penalty ourselves. This is the reason Christians proclaim Christ to every nation, so that every man and woman will know they have a choice!
What have you done with your choice?
Reinventing the We'll 
What a stirring post, Pastor J. God is sooo good, that He gives us a choice! I have never regretted the choice I made to believe Jesus died for me! God bless you!
Neither have I Deb! The choice to follow Jesus is the rightest thing I ever did!
Thank you, Lord for using Pastor J to bring us Your words. I thank God He heard my cries and that I chose Him five years ago as my Lord & Savior. I will continue to praise His name not just because of all the miracles I have had and those I have witnessed but because He is so amazing. Lord, through my testimony let others believe you are real. Please, Lord prepare their heart to receive Your words. Let them have a revelation in their heart to who You are. A-men!
A-men Lord hear this prayer. I am so glad God called you into the family Deb!
8th June 1958 was the night I made the most important choice of all and my life changed completely. Ever since, I have reaffirmed the choice to follow Jesus and have NEVER had cause to regret it.
We serve an amazing God!
What an awesome testimony Angela! The decision to follow Jesus is the best one I have ever made and like you I have never regretted it!
Oh Boy …
Pastor J, the thought of the cries of terror shakes me up a little. I am concerned for those around me who don’t know Him. Now there is freedom to choose, but when every knee MUST bow, many will bow in anguish and too-late tears. God help us!
I gave my life to Christ (and took it back countless times). The major wilderness experience brought me full circle to my loving Redeemer. I am happy. I am blessed. I have no regrets…
Thanks for sharing. It’s good to be reminded every now and then.
Blessings
ann
Thanks for this comment Ann! I once heard and evangelist say “Everyone is going to Heaven but not everyone is going to stay.” That is a sobering thought to me.