Who gets the glory?

1 Samuel 4(1 - 11) tells us of two consecutive battles that Israel lost to the Philistines. After the Israelites get thrashed in battle on day one they decide to bring the ark of the covenant into the camp with the hope that IT would save them and bring victory. However here we find the mistake that they looked to the ark and not to the LORD of the ark. We must be careful to never put the emphasis on the "tools" of our worship for unless the Lord goes before us we are sure to encounter defeat. Even though the ground shook when Israel recognised the arks presence in the camp they had their eyes fixed on the "thing" and not the "One" who would bring victory over the enemy. God's presence cannot be treated as a "good-luck" charm! God's presence is to be feared and not used for man's glory.