1Sa 6:1, Now the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines SEVEN MONTHS.
The Philistines wanted to keep their trophy but, the hand of the LORD was hard on them!
1Sa 6:6, Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He did mighty things among them, …
So many people harden their hearts and I can see this in me when talking about my family!
Hos 10:12 NLT, I said, ‘PLANT THE GOOD SEEDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND YOU WILL HARVEST A CROP OF LOVE. PLOW UP THE HARD GROUND OF YOUR HEARTS, FOR NOW IS THE TIME TO SEEK THE LORD, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’
The Ark of God came back home But!
1Sa 6:19, Then He struck the men of Beth Shemesh, BECAUSE THEY HAD LOOKED INTO THE ARK OF THE LORD.
They removed the mercy seat, and looked directly at tablets of the Law of God! EVERYONE IS GUILTY ACCORDING TO THE LAW; ALL HAVE FALLEN SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD! IN CHRIST WE HAVE BEEN SHOWN MERCY, YET WITHOUT HIM ALL WE HAVE IS DEATH BECAUSE OF OUR SIN!
Job 9:4, GOD IS WISE IN HEART AND MIGHTY IN STRENGTH. WHO HAS HARDENED HIMSELF AGAINST HIM AND PROSPERED?
LORD SOFTEN MY HEART THAT I MAY SERVE YOU WELL!