The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Samuel 5:1-5, “Now the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.
2 Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it to the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon.
3 When the Ashdodites arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and set him in his place again.
4 But when they arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. And the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left to him.
5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor all who enter Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

Some days it just doesn’t pay to get up. Sometimes it’s worse than that. The Philistines, arch-enemies of the Israelites, had dared to positioned their god Dagon overnight and in close proximity to the Ark of God. What they discovered the following morning was that Dagon had fallen on its face, so they had to reset the idol once again to a standing position.

When something we adore or even reverence as a “god” cannot keep its own face out of the mud overnight, it ought to say something to us. Yet, the trust that some people place in the “games of life” are as worthless as a wooden idol that can’t fend for itself.

Gambling, drinking, driving while drinking, and taking pills known for their “high effect” are simply a few of the countless “gods” that labor to ruin the upward stance of other self-made gods today.

Not every god, however, is an activity. Pride and arrogance may be easier to conceal; however, they ultimately fall into disrepute and humiliate those who so clothe themselves. In time, as with Dagon, pride and arrogance experience downfalls. Dagon’s head and the palms of his hands signaled his uselessness of both mind and work-achievement.

There are enormous Dagons in our world today! They beg for our admiration and service. We should be encouraged to use our “heads and hands” only for the glory of Almighty God!

Take a moment and assess yourself. What are you doing to honor the LORD? Has He commissioned you to do something honoring His Name? Are you faithful to Him? The hour is late. False gods abound. Jesus calls us! Time is running out.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom