No Rivals to the Lord

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“The Power of the True God” – 1 Samuel 5

Dear Friends, 1 Samuel 5 is one of those chapters that reminds us in a very striking way that our God is the one true and living God — and He will not share His glory with any idol or false god.

After the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant in battle, they brought it into the temple of their god Dagon and set it beside his idol. The next morning, they found Dagon fallen on his face before the Ark. They set him up again, only to discover the following day that Dagon had fallen once more — this time with his head and hands broken off.

Not only that, but the Lord brought judgment on the people of Ashdod and the surrounding cities with a plague of tumours. The Philistines quickly realised that the God of Israel was not like their own gods. The Ark of the Covenant brought nothing but trouble wherever it went among them.

This chapter is a powerful reminder that the Lord is sovereign. He is not a trophy to be captured or a god among many — He is the only true God. The idols of the nations are nothing before Him.

For us today, this story challenges us to examine our own hearts. What “idols” or rival things are we setting up alongside the Lord in our lives? Money, success, comfort, relationships, or even our own plans can quietly take the place that belongs to God alone.

The Lord will not tolerate rivals. He is jealous for His glory and for our good. When we put Him first, we experience His blessing. When we put anything else in His place, we eventually discover — like the Philistines — that it brings trouble.


Pause & Pray: Take a quiet moment right now. Ask the Lord to search your heart and show you if there is anything you have been putting before Him. Confess it and ask for His help to tear it down. Thank Him that He is the one true God who reigns over all and who is powerful to save and to keep us. Pray for our church family that we would be a people who give the Lord His rightful place in every area of our lives.

Verse to Remember: “They said, ‘The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, for his hand is heavy on us and on Dagon our god.’” (1 Samuel 5:7 ESV)

Question to Consider: What things in your life right now might be competing for the place that belongs to God alone? How can you practically “dethrone” them this week and give the Lord the first place He deserves?

Article written by Shaun Fereday, Leader @SFGH Church

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