In 1 Samuel 5, the Ark of the Covenant, which represented the presence of God, caused the Philistine statue of Dagon to fall to the ground. The Philistines stood it back on its feet. But when they returned the next day, it had fallen again. This isn’t the first time in Scripture that something (or someone) collapsed to the ground in the presence of God. Ponder these examples.

In Matthew 17, when God spoke audibly declaring His love for Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, the disciples collapsed to the ground. In John 18, the Roman soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the Garden. They approached Him and Jesus stated I AM He whom you seek. “So when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.” John 18:7 NASB. Or consider John as he wrote the book of Revelation. He said, “When I saw Him (Jesus), I fell at His feet as though dead.” Revelation 1:17 NIV

Genesis 17:3 Abram collapsed when God spoke to him. Joshua 5:14-15 Joshua fell with his face to the ground in God’s presence. Ezekiel 1:28 Ezekiel collapsed when the glory of the Lord appeared to him. Daniel 8:17 Daniel fell to the ground before the glory of God. Acts 9:4 Paul collapsed to earth when saw Jesus on the road to Damascus.

If you are ever tempted to take God’s presence flippantly, remember these scriptures. The power and majesty of God are undefinable. Never treat God with a casual familiarity. Jeremiah wrote “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.” Jeremiah 32:17 NKJV