Tag: trust

Hosea 8:1-14 – God’s Fury

Read Hosea 8:1-14

Did today’s reading make you a little uneasy? It did me. God’s fury against his people is raging, and yet the people don’t seem to get it. While they plead in verse 2 for God’s help, redemption and forgiveness are not in the cards for them just yet.

So much evil surrounds the people and they seem to thrive on it. It seems as if God isn’t going to rush to rescue this time. They must wallow in the consequences of their bad choices.

Again, it’s easy for us to read this with a sort of nonchalance thinking their sin is so much worse than ours. Don’t fall into that trap. All sin separates us from God. As far as I know, there is not a hierarchy of sins in God’s eyes.  Sin is our downfall, that which keeps us apart from God’s perfect will for us.

Verse 12 struck a chord with me. “Even though I gave them all my laws, they act as if those laws don’t apply to them.” It saddens me to realize we do that same thing. We, as a society at least. Over the years, in one Bible study or another, I have encountered people that want to pick and choose what parts of the Bible “apply” to them. Have you experienced that? Maybe you’ve done it, too.

If we want to act in a certain way, and yet the Bible (God) says no, the tendency is to disregard Scripture. That would be one way of reconciling ourselves to God, just ignore the parts of his Word that we struggle with. No!  Absolutely not! No! We, then, are no better than these Israelites who were challenging God at every turn.

The words of Scripture are alive yesterday, today, and for all time. We have no right to make our own rules to fit our own circumstances. We must fit our lives into the framework God has designed for us. Only then will we achieve true freedom and communion with God.

Why, then, do we struggle? Why do we question God? Think about a time in your life when you wrestled with God and his plan for your life. How did that turn out?

Let’s pray. Lord, you are the ruler of my life. Forgive me when I try to take control. Forgive me when I question your intentions. Thank you for the protection you provide and the unconditional love you give, even when I stumble. I don’t want to be like the stubborn Israelites who insisted on their own way. I know you way for me is so much better. Give me the patience to wait for you to move. I praise your name for it is great. I am humbled that I am your child. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hosea 5:1-15 – Hey Leaders!

Read Hosea 5:1-15

Some readings are easier than others, and today’s was not an easy one. Can’t you just sense God’s pain in the midst of what his people are doing? Have you ever felt betrayed or abused in any way? It’s not a comfortable feeling, and here we see how God’s anger is playing out.

Priests, leaders and warriors, everyone was in the scope of the curse. We see time and time again of the disobedience of God’s people. They are worshiping idols. Did you like how I said “they”. We are just as guilty aren’t we? Our idols may not be made of wood or gold, but we have them.

Think of an idol as that thing you think of or do that keeps you from thinking of and serving God. What are you pursuing – more money, more fame, or God’s mercy? What are you doing – watching TV, playing video games, or spending time getting to know God?

False worship is another trap. Today we have so many popular self help materials and “spiritual” guides. Too many of these types of things are just there to help us “feel good”, not build a relationship with our creator. When God is left out of the equation of our lives, we are in the trap of idolatry. Don’t be deceived by this. God gave us his word as our instruction book, as his love letter to us. Don’t let the words of man take God’s place.

I’m not a fan of the trouble our passage today speaks about. I don’t want God’s anger to cover me as a waterfall, or be torn to bits by the fangs of a lion, or to be destroyed as a moth consumes wool. Not pleasant pictures to be sure. I prefer to see myself cuddled up in my Savior’s arms with the assurance that I am safe, loved, and have made him proud of my life and my choices.

So what about you? Are you feeling a little uneasy right now? Do these words of destruction rattle you a little? They may be revealing something deep down that has been haunting you or causing you to feel guilty. Get it out. Unleash the turmoil inside. Put your trust in the loving and forgiving God.

Let’s pray. Father God. Thank you for this reminder of the fury in you that rages when we are disobedient and put our trust in the world. Forgive me for times when I have not put my full focus on you or your will for me. May I sense a calming in my soul as I rest in you. I want my life to please you. I want praise to be on my lips from the moment I wake until the moment I sleep. Refresh me today, and open m y eyes to the possibilities that lie before me. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

Hosea 3:1-5 – Reconciled

Read Hosea 3:1-5

Poor Hosea. Sometimes being used by God isn’t easy.

If you’re following the text with us, you know that out of obedience Hosea has married a prostitute and had children with her. To reflect God’s relationship with Israel, Hosea allows her to go out on him and now accepts her back, after doing who knows what with who knows who. Yet, he must stay apart from her still. Reconciliation is here. Forgiveness is coming.

I can’t imagine what it must have been like for his wife either. Gomer is silent, we don’t hear her side of things. We can only imagine what it was like for her. True dysfunction. Does she know any different? Does she realize God is using her as a teachable moment for his beloved Israel? What a great picture of how God gave Israel a second chance (and 3rd and 4th). Likewise, he continues to give us second chances.

I love the part of v. 5 that says, they will “tremble in awe of the Lord and of his goodness.” I want to focus on that message today. May I “tremble” at the Lord’s goodness.

I look out my window and see the beautiful blue sky. I am blessed to live in a place that is sunny most of the time. Even though we are in “rainy season”, it rains mostly at night, and boy does that make for cozy sleeping. Long gone are the days of below zero temperatures, but that’s the picture I get when I think of “trembling”. Physical shaking and shivering, but in this case, because of the awe I feel for God.

Take a moment to close your eyes and just breathe in and out. Let your mind focus on God and what he is telling you today. Don’t you just shiver a little to know that the God of the universe has a message for you today? Rest in his love until you feel that tingle and know you have heard from your creator.

Let’s pray. Father, God, I give you thanks for giving me a “do-over” when I don’t get it right. Thank you for being such a loving God. How much you loved me when you sent your son,  Jesus, to live like me, hurt like me, and dream like me. What a sacrifice to take on my sins and die for me, I am in awe. Watch over me today. Guide all I say and do. Make me more like Jesus as I serve and love others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hosea 1:1-2:1 – Message from God

Read Hosea 1:1-2:1

I wonder if Hosea liked being used by God? He certainly obeyed. Hosea did marry a prostitute, Gomer, and they had children. Just as God said, Hosea named his children. What negative names to brand a children, but the purpose was instead to send Israel a message. Israel had been disobedient. Judah had not.

It was being foretold that that Israel and Judah would merge at which time the children’s names would change. Interesting. I wonder how those children felt branded with such names. But the promise of restoration, in their lifetime, was there. Was Hosea aware of the plan from the get go, or did God reveal that only after he was obedient? 

How about us? When we are asked by God to act, are we obedient or do we tend to question God and his intentions? In writing these devotions, it was on my heart to do this, but I’m certain God put that desire there, and I want to be obedient. In other situations, we may feel unequipped to do what God is asking, but in those times, God’s strength wins the day through us.

Whatever the series of events for Hosea, a take-away for us is to witness his obedience. God is always faithful to those who love him.

The theme of Hosea begins with God’s desire to be loved and to love. His people are facing clear consequences because of their disobedience. God made us to be in relationship with him. He’s waiting on us. He wants us to come to him, spend time with him. We get so busy, fill our lives with lots of noise. We need to be still and listen.

What is God asking you to do?

Let’s pray. Father help me to shut out the noise and clear my crowded head. Refresh me in this moment. You are  mighty and your wisdom surpasses my understanding. Please reveal your intentions for me so that I can be obedient. Help me not to question my abilities but rely on you for your provision. I yearn for you to use me. May my words and deeds help restore this broken world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 147 – Absolute Power

Read Psalm 147

My oh my. The power of God is absolute indeed! This psalmist is overflowing with praise. The word pictures used are exquisite and fresh.

What verse(s) spoke to you today? If you’re not sure, think about what you are going through right now (pain, struggle, happiness, success) and read this psalm again until you see yourself.

Do we see ourselves, maybe as one who fears God, as one with children blessed by God, or living in peace? The fact that God is interacting with us is truly reason to celebrate and sing praise.

I like the weather references, too. Snow like wool, hail being hurled like stones, and frost spread like ashes. What was striking is verse 15, “He sends his orders to the world—how swiftly his word flies!” God is in control, and when he speaks the universe listens.

Lately I’ve heard people referring to “well life has thrown me some curves,” or “the universe will make it right.” These are just a few examples of common thought that rock me to the core. Have heard things like this, too? I just want to shake this people and say – NO! God is in control. God gets the credit for the good. Evil lives and seeks to hurt us, not God, not the universe or “life”. Evil is real. God is real. God is stronger and will prevail.

I think verse 11 is my favorite. “No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Isn’t this the key? We want to delight our Lord, and here is our “how to”. In this day and age, with the age of instant gratification and search for knowledge, people want to know how. Here you go – you what to know how to please God, fear him, put your hope in him.

Sometimes it’s hard to put our faith in things we cannot see. But God is God, and while we cannot see him, he is there. Can you see the wind? Yet you feel it on your face or blowing through your hair. It’s there, but you can’t see it. God is in the wind, in the rain, the snow, the hail. He created it, it is his as our we. As these things respond to God’s word, so, too, must we. Are you listening to God? How are you responding?

Let’s pray. Father God, I give you thanks and praise for all that you are and all that you have made me to be. Help me to step outside myself and open up my heart to let you in. I want to place all my trust and hope in you and not leave anything to chance or my own ability. I’m going to need your help to be true to this and not try to take back control. Cleanse me of me and my selfishness so that I can shine with your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

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