How great is our God!

After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod, brought it into the temple of Dagon and placed it next to his statue.

When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen with his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place.

But when they got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen with his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. This time, Dagon’s head and both of his hands were broken off and lying on the threshold. (1 Samuel 5:1-4)

I always find this story very amusing.

The Philistines thought that the Lord was one of just many gods. In fact, since they had defeated the Israelites, they probably thought that the Lord was inferior to their god Dagon. But they soon learned otherwise.

Whenever I read this story of Dagon falling prostrate before the Lord’s ark, it always reminds me of God’s words in Isaiah 45.

God spoke them hundreds of years after this event, but it’s the very same message that he was communicating to the Philistines that day.

There is no other God but me,
a righteous God and Savior;
there is no one except me.

Turn to me and be saved,
all the ends of the earth.

For I am God,
and there is no other.

By myself I have sworn;
truth has gone from my mouth,
a word that will not be revoked:

Every knee will bow to me,
every tongue will swear allegiance. (Isaiah 45:21-23)

Those are the words I’m reflecting on today. And as I read them, I can’t help but cry out in worship, “How great is our God!”