Yeah...I know. I am doing my best to stay warm and fuzzy.
Everybody was wrong about the ark of the covenant (an item in the tabernacle that represented the throne of God). After losing a battle to the Philistines, Israel sent messengers to Shiloh to ask that the ark be hauled to Ebenezer, the site of their army camp.
When the ark arrived, the Israelites celebrated so loudly the enemy heard them all the way over in Aphek. The arks arrival caused the Philistines to fear and the Israelites to have courage.
They were both wrong. The Israelites took the ark into battle and were again clobbered by the Philistines, who captured the ark. Another mistake. The Philistines got sick and their false gods were destroyed.
We can understand the Philistines errorthey were idol-worshipers. But the Israelites should have known better. They failed to consult God about using the ark. While they knew that the ark was earlier carried in battle (Josh. 6), they didnt consider that Gods plan, not the arks involvement, allowed Israel to defeat Jericho.
No matter our resources, we will fail unless we use them according to Gods plan. Lets study the Word, pray for Gods direction, and trust His leading (Ps. 91:2) before we step out in any venture of faith.