This morning I was reading 1 Samuel 4:1-11.  This passage is about the Israelites getting defeated by the Philistines, and then deciding to attack a second time with the Ark of the Covenant before them.  They saw the ark as a lucky charm for battle, not the symbol of God's ruling, revelation, and redemption.  Dr. Ralph Davis calls this "rabbit-foot theology."  What is interesting is that God then allowed for the Israelites to be defeated a second time and the Ark to be captured.   

Consider this quote from his commentary Looking on the Heart: Expositions from 1 Samuel: 

"This text forces two important implications upon us: Yahweh (God) will suffer shame rather than allow you to carry on a false relationship with Him; and Yahweh (God) will allow you to be disappointed with Him if it will awaken you to the sort of God He really is."

"Contemporary believers must beware of thinking that they are immune from this rabbit-foot faith.  What is behind a church's 24-hour prayer vigil?  Is it a desire to be in earnest with God, to plead with Him in some matter?  Or is there some thinking that if we simply organize and orchestrate such coverage, God will be forced to grant whatever we are praying about?  Perhaps individual Christians have observed that things go better with prayer.  But what then is the drive behind their daily devotional exercises?  Is it delight in meeting with God or with things going better?  Whenever the church stops confessing 'Thou art worthy' and begins chanting 'Thou art useful' -- well, then you know the Ark of God has been captured again."

Are you using God today, or is He using you?  Is He your Lord or your lucky charm?