There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: Hosea 14
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine— Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon. [Hosea 14:5-7]
If (and this is an important “if”) God’s people will repent and return to God, if they humble themselves before Him and love and serve Him as their Lord and King, then…
They will become a thriving, powerful nation that will bring blessing to the world.
The nations will find shelter or shade under their branches.
After all their rebellion, God is still offering to use His people to bless the world.
I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. [Hosea 14:4]
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” [Mark 4:30-32]
When Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God, He is referring to what this world will be like if the people acknowledge and honour Him as King.
If they repent and return to Him, even though they are small or insignificant in the eyes of the world (but a mustard seed), they will grow so big that the birds (the nations) can find shade in their branches.
God’s people, when they submit to and serve Him as King, become the source of amazing blessing for the world.
The church (followers of Jesus) becomes the avenue of grace and hope in a graceless, hopeless world.
If (and this is an important “if”) Jesus’ followers humbly love and live like their Lord, the world will be blessed, impacted for good, will find shelter and shade in their branches.
But if we remain as selfish and wrapped up in their own comfort and happiness, the world will not be blessed.
If we pay lip service to our missional calling, but invest most of our lives in selfish living, then our neighbours will not find shade and shelter in God’s grace among us.
And that is NOT what we’ve been saved for, that is NOT God’s kingdom purpose.
If we are a part of God’s kingdom, the nations will be blessed with us…
If…
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to see that salvation is not just about my comfort and blessing, but that I am blessed to be a blessing, that this is Your kingdom mission for me, for us.
‘The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them.’ The rebellious stumble but those who are of God, will not stumble nor fall. They shall rise up upon the wings of eagles. He is the wind beneath our wings. He is our lifting power. Keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and Perfecter of our faith. The works of our own hands can not save us.
God is the answer. He freely gives. In Him we are planted by the waters because He will make us grow roots to stand strong. We are the branches granted into the vine bearing fruit because of Whose we are – fruit bearers because He has enabled us through His faithfulness. He has blessed us so that we can be a blessing to others in His name. Not because what my hands have done, BUT what His hands have borne – my sins since my name is engraven in the palm of His hands. He has given me life and LIFE abundantly and I can not but live a life of thanksliving. PTL!
The name of the Lord is
A strong tower
The righteous run into it
And they are saved
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Most high, high, high
(repeat)