From time to time, everyone messes up. We become fearful, we neglect our priorities, we forget our principles. It happens. After a time, hopefully a short one, we come to our senses and realize where we have gone wrong. It is kind of like being out in the cold without proper clothing. You can do it for awhile, but then you start shivering and head indoors. This is how it feels to be out of sync with the Lord. Our sin blocks our sense of His blessing in our lives. This week we are looking at how Israel restored the blessing of the Lord. They had really messed up by using the Ark as a good luck charm and they presumed upon Godâ€"s protection for them in battle. Now it is time to come in out of the cold. 1 Samuel chapter 5 and 6 recount the adventure of the Ark in Philistines hands. It became like a “hot potatoâ€� as it is passed from city to city in an attempt to avoid plagues of rats and tumors that seemed to accompany it in Philistine territory. Finally, it is sent back to Israel with golden presents in an attempt to appease a god who didnâ€"t appear to take kindly to its capture nor its proximity to their pagan god. Israelâ€"s repentance and the subsequent restoration of Godâ€"s blessing is a remarkable example of Godâ€"s grace and what it takes to get us back under his good hand of blessing.