“The Darkness Precedes the Dawn”

“The Darkness Precedes the Dawn” – “Darkness Can Not Prevent the Dawn" – The Philistines Capture the Ark * Man’s idea, not God’s * They wanted the Ark of God not God himself. - 1 Samuel 4:3 When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, "Why did the LORD bring defeat upon us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the LORD's covenant from Shiloh, so that it may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies." - The Death of Eli - 1 Samuel 4:18 When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man and heavy. He had led Israel forty years. - Deuteronomy 32:28 They are a nation without sense, there is no discernment in them. * Having a relationship with God is the only way you can win. - Judgment and redemption Isaiah 59:14-19 - God is still there: He looked and saw no one to intervene. * Isaiah 59:14 So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter.