SCRIPTURE: Hosea 8-12
“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?” (Hosea 11:8)
I’ve often struggled with the judgment side of God and the bible.
As a parent, I wonder how God can punish His children so harshly.
Hosea conveys the extreme concern and compassion of God.
I have not had issues with my kids, but imagine if they were extremely cruel or corrupt.
The pain, the anger, the frustration, the sadness, all rolled into one massive misery.
As God reminds people of their serious sin, I sense this massive misery in God.
God wants to love and bless people, but He can’t bless corruption and cruelty.
More than anything, God wants people to admit their shame and guilt, so He can help them.
“God is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
God’s love is greater and stronger than ours, and we love our children very much.
God is not happy about punishing our crimes, but He cannot ignore them either.
How does God deal with moral failure, yet save us from our folly?
“My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man — the Holy One among you. (Hosea 11:8-9)
God will find a way; God will somehow punish sin, yet save sinners.
Through Jesus, God steps in to punish the guilt of sin and restore the guilty sinners.
He cannot give us up, He cannot hand us over… He loves us that much!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for the ways that I hurt You and others. I know I am guilty, but I also know You are forgiving.
Observation/Application
Although the people say that they know God they do not listen to His voice. They have forgotten their Maker and follow their own ways.
How do I follow the way of the Lord? Rituals? Meaningful.? Habitual? My way over His WAY?
To whom am I connected? Whom do I serve?
In this Christmas season. may I be reminded that God is first. He is Lord over all and also in my life. I must realize that He is in charge for the Lord, my Lord, He is in charge. I must follow Him always. He must be the unseen guest in my home always. Always I red to serve Him. Lead me and guide me Lord this day.
Listen to His voice – ‘This is the Way. Walk in it.’ That must be my ‘SonShine’ each and every day. His LightShine must guide me always.
Do I see?
Do I hear?
May I walk in His ‘SonShine’ each day on my pilgrim’s progress serving Him.
(Refrain)
God is love, and all who live in love, live in God.
God is love, and all who live in love, live in God.
Vs. 1: God is light, in God there is no darkness.
Come live in the love of the Lord.
Vs. 2: Come to the Lord, receive the light,
and live in the love of the Lord.
Vs. 3: We are called to be God?s own children,
to live in the love of the Lord.
Vs. 4: All of you are one, united in Jesus,
to live in the love of the Lord.