1 Samuel 4:7

"And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp." 1 Samuel 4:7 .

Even those who do not openly believe in God dread his power. Theoretically the Philistines would have laughed at God, but when they were sure that the God of the Hebrews had come into the camp their interest wakened and all their armour seemed to be of no avail; they were clothed with straw, and a great fire was advancing upon them. The Philistines were not afraid of the Hebrews as such, for the Hebrews were but ordinary men: but when the Hebrews were associated with their God, and God had shown himself ready to operate on their behalf, then the whole earth as represented by the Philistines was afraid, and fell down in uttermost despair. So it will be with all the enemies of God everywhere. They are not afraid of literature, of science, of philosophy, of eloquence, of money, of mechanism: but when the Church is inspired, when it lives and moves and has its being in God, when it arises to a due apprehension of its function, then men begin to feel that the Church is invested with an influence that is not earthly, and therefore is not measurable. Our whole hope is in God. We can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth us. If God is not in our camp we can do nothing but make a vain display of impotent resources; but when God comes into the camp, then our little is turned into much yea, our very nothingness is magnified into an infinite force.- Let us cry mightily for God. Let us say, "Why standest thou afar off, O God?" Let us exclaim with our whole heart, "Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth." When we call thus for God he will not turn a deaf ear to us, if so be our hearts are pure, and our spirit marked by candour, earnestness, and love.