When the Philistines routed Israel and captured the ark of God, they thought they had the upper hand and set the ark in the house of Dagon by his image. In the morning they found Dagon had fallen on his face before the ark of God. They set it up again, but the next day they found Dagon on his face again with his head and hands cut off. God plagued them with tumors so they moved the ark from city to city without relief. When the leaders gathered they said, “…’Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, so that it will not kill us and our people.’…” (11b). At times it may seem like our enemies have the upper hand, but God always has our best interest in mind and never loses control over our darkest hours. Eventually, the ark of God would be returned. The very enemies that seem to have the upper hand were dealt with as God brought about His ultimate purposes for His people. Let us trust God and not fear when He permits a tragic loss among us. Learn a lesson, but never forget God is always in control!