1 Samuel 4:3
And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.
Israel had followed the ways of Eli’s sons who were wicked men. They forsook the ways of Eli, which means they forsook God. As they went to war to fight against the Philistines, four thousand men were killed on this first day of battle. Israel thought they could bring the ark of the covenant to the battle and that miraculously, like a rabbit’s foot, they could win the battle. They looked at the ark of the covenant more as a tool to manipulate God by thinking that God cannot care for the ark Himself. They thought they could hold the ark over God’s head and force Him to help them win the battle. However, they quickly found out that you cannot manipulate God to do what you want as you live in sin and get away with it. God caused them to lose this war, and not only did they lose the war, but they lost the ark of the covenant as the Philistines took it and put it in the temple of Dagon beside their god.
Many have tried to manipulate God by thinking they can trick and fool God as they do other people, but God always wins, and the sinner always loses. Many have changed their ways for a moment to get from God what they wanted, only to go back to the sin that they quit. Many have promised God they would change their lives to get an answer to prayer, only to go back on their promise once God answered it. Many believers have manipulated God into getting what they wanted, but they don't realize that God knows what they are doing, and eventually, His mercy will run out. Just because God was merciful to answer a prayer does not mean that He justifies their attempt to manipulate them.
Let me remind you that Galatians 6:7 is still true when it says, Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. You can mock God with your manipulation attempts, but your day of reaping will come. You can think you are fooling God by going to church to show your feigned love for Him but go back to your wicked living during the week, but God eventually will chasten those who make a mock of Him. You may mock others with your words and manipulation tactics and gotten away with it, but God will not be mocked.
My friend, just because God is merciful to answer your prayers and requests does not mean He approves of your manipulation tactics. The LORD said in Genesis 6:3, My spirit shall not always strive with man. Job 4:8 says, Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. You may have gotten away with your attempts to manipulate God into getting what you want, but you cannot sow sin and reap a harvest of good. Sin always has a harvest, and its harvest reaps heartache, judgment, and sorrow.
Have you promised God that you would do something in an attempt to manipulate Him? Deuteronomy 23:21 warns, When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. Don’t think you can manipulate God and get away with your sin like you do with people. Payday comes, and to mock God with empty promises always brings the chastening hand of God and heartache. Don't try to fool God; you won't get away with it.
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