God and Grief

By Romina Chevren

"His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near the time of delivery. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth, but was overcome by her labor pains. As she was dying, the women attending her said, ‘Don’t despair; you have given birth to a son.’ But she did not respond or pay any attention. She named the boy Ichabod, saying, ‘The glory has departed from Israel’—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. She said, ‘The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.’”—1 Samuel 4:19–22 (NIV)

There was a season in my life when I truly understood what it felt like to say, “The glory has departed.” It wasn’t that God had left me—He never does—but I had distanced myself from Him. I was going through the motions of faith, treating God like a safety net I could pull out in times of trouble, but not as the center of my life.

Then one day, everything fell apart. A significant opportunity I had been counting on slipped through my fingers. At the same time, a close relationship began to crumble, and I felt completely alone. It seemed like every aspect of my life was unraveling. I was overwhelmed with a sense of failure and abandonment, much like how Israel must have felt when they lost the ark of the covenant. The ark, a symbol of God’s presence and favor, had been captured by the Philistines. Without it, Israel felt lost, as if God’s glory had vanished.

I remember sitting in my car after yet another disappointing day. For the first time in years, I cried out to God in desperation. I didn’t have eloquent words; I just said, “God, where are You? I need You!” Deep down, I knew the answer: I had been treating God casually, much like Israel had treated the ark. I wanted His blessings, but I hadn’t honored His presence in my daily life. I realized I had been trying to fit God into my plans instead of surrendering to His will.

Reading today’s passage, I saw my own heart reflected in the story of Phinehas’s wife. Overwhelmed by grief—not just for the deaths of her husband and father-in-law, but also for the spiritual crisis facing her nation—she named her son Ichabod, meaning “The glory has departed.” Her despair wasn’t only personal; it stemmed from the collective sense that God’s presence was no longer with them. In that moment, I understood her sorrow. Without God’s presence, everything feels meaningless.

But God began to speak to me through this story. He reminded me that Ichabod wasn’t the end of Israel’s story, and it didn’t have to be the end of mine. Though the ark was captured, God’s glory wasn’t gone forever. He would eventually restore His presence among His people. In the same way, He was calling me back—not to shame me, but to restore me.

I started making small changes. I dedicated time each morning to truly pray, not just recite requests. I began diving into Scripture with an open heart, seeking to hear God’s voice. I recentered my life around His will rather than my own desires. Slowly but surely, I began to sense His presence again—not as a distant power, but as a close, loving Father.

The story of Ichabod reminds us of the devastation that comes from losing sight of God’s presence. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of God’s presence in our lives. Like the Israelites, we sometimes rely on our own strength or treat God as an afterthought. But God’s glory cannot be confined to symbols or rituals. It must be sought through genuine faith, obedience, and devotion.

The despair of Ichabod doesn’t have to define us. Through Jesus Christ, God’s presence is restored to us. We’re no longer separated from His glory, but invited into a relationship with Him through His Spirit.

Let this story be a warning and a call to renewal, urging us to treasure God’s presence above all else. Let it inspire us to seek Him wholeheartedly, knowing that His glory brings life, hope, and restoration. Now, whenever I feel like I’m losing sight of His presence, I turn to this story and realign my heart to honor Him—not just with my words, but with my life.

Pause:

·Reflect on how you honor God’s presence in your life. Are there areas where you’ve taken Him for granted?

·Consider how you respond to spiritual challenges. Do they draw you closer to God or lead you to despair?

Practice:

1.Evaluate Your Priorities: Identify any areas in your life where you’ve relied more on rituals, symbols, or traditions than on a genuine relationship with God.

2.Seek His Presence: Dedicate time this week to deepen your connection with God through prayer, Scripture, and worship.

3.Renew Your Commitment: If there are areas of disobedience or neglect in your walk with God, bring them before Him and commit to living in alignment with His will.

Pray: Lord, I acknowledge that without You, all else is meaningless. Forgive me for the times I’ve taken Your presence for granted or relied on my own strength instead of trusting in You. Help me to treasure Your glory and seek a deeper relationship with You. Renew my heart and guide me to live in a way that honors You. Thank You for Your mercy and for restoring Your presence to me through Jesus Christ. Amen.