“Now the people of Beth Shemesh were harvesting their wheat in the valley, and when they looked up and saw the ark, they rejoiced at the sight. 14 The cart came to the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh, and there it stopped beside a large rock. The people chopped up the wood of the cart and sacrificed the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord. 15 The Levites took down the ark of the Lord, together with the chest containing the gold objects, and placed them on the large rock. On that day the people of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices to the Lord. 16 The five rulers of the Philistines saw all this and then returned that same day to Ekron.” 1 Samuel 6.13-16
The Philistines had had enough. The ark of the Lord was no good for them. It did not represent their gods, and it brought harm to the people. So, they sent it back—a smart move, if you ask me.
The people of Beth Shemesh were minding their own business, tilling their fields of wheat, when they looked up and saw the ark. God’s provision was returning to them, and they rejoiced. The cart on which the ark was traveling was pulled by two cows, and it stopped beside a rock—two cows for a sacrifice and a rock for an altar.
So the Levites, the priestly tribe of the Lord, “took down the ark of the Lord, together with the chest containing the gold objects, and placed them on the large rock.” They offered the cows to the Lord as a burnt offering. The Philistines observed all of this and then returned to their town.
The ark was home, cared for by people who loved it because they loved the Lord. Often, the Israelites made a mess of things, but in this one moment, this one time, they did what was right in the sight of the Lord. Of course, they didn’t mess up all the time, but when they made the right move, they were blessed. This time, they did just that. This story signifies a people blessed by the Lord for their obedience—a people reunited with their God and their Lord.
Sometimes we also choose what is right. Sometimes we make moves or take actions in our lives that prove good and useful to the Lord. Sometimes we recognize God for who He is and follow in His path. We love Him, worship Him, and are rewarded with His presence and His love.
I pray today is that kind of day for you—a day of obediently serving the Lord. He has given us the very air we breathe, the blood in our bodies, and the life in our souls. He has promised good things to those who love Him, serve Him, and seek Him.
Will you seek the Lord now? Let it be so! Let your words be a reflection of the praise that resides in your heart. Let your love for Christ be so infectious that others can’t help but run to Jesus.
“O Lord God, You are good and faithful. This life is precious but fleeting. It is a preparation for the life to come—to bask in Your presence, to walk beside You in the garden of heaven, to know Your name and to be known by You. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with Your power and love. I praise Your name and honor You this day. Guide my steps, fill my heart, and help me walk in accordance with Your purpose and power. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.