What happens when the presence of God invades our spaces? Today in 1 Samuel, the Philistines discover that capturing the Ark of the Covenant is a terrifying curse, not a victory. From the temple of Dagon to the streets of pagan cities, God establishes His unshared authority, forcing the Philistines to return the Ark on a driverless cart. In the Gospel of John, the resurrection of Lazarus sparks two opposing reactions. While the religious elite cynically plot to murder Jesus to preserve their political power, Mary of Bethany responds with beautiful, costly devotion, pouring out an inheritance worth a year’s wages to anoint the feet of her King.

Today’s Scripture:

📖 1 Samuel 5–7 – The captured Ark is placed in the temple of the idol Dagon, only for the statue to be found face-down and shattered. Plagues break out across Philistia until ...