In Hosea 1:2-3, God tells Hosea to marry an adulterous wife and take her children out of wedlock. This is a shocking action by God. Yet, it is in actuality God’s story that Hosea is called to live out. We think a lot about poor Hosea who had to enter into this awful situation. In reality, we are given an insight into how God feels. God marries or makes a commitment to His people. His people become unfaithful and break their commitment by seeking other gods and having a relationship with them instead of the one true God. Do we ever stop and think about the God who is faithful to us even though we have prostituted ourselves to other things besides Him? Yes, He disciplines and judges us because He loves us. If you get a chance, skip ahead to Hosea 11:1-9 and read the touching proclamation of God about how He loves us in spite of what we have done. Read this section and think about God when in anguish He asks the question, “How can I give you up…?” (Hosea 11:8) Have you ever stopped to think about how God feels? I read this story from Hosea and I realize, I have hurt my God. This is not the final part of the story because my God forgives. He sent us His Son!
Archive for the ‘Loyalty’ Category
Day 350: Hosea 1:2-3 — Think about how God feels?
Thursday, December 16th, 2010Day 167: John 12:37-50 — Speaking or Cowering
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010John 12:42 gives me cause to wonder. Do we still have this problem today? Do we still hesitate to confess our belief in Jesus because of the multitude of Pharisees in our world today? Some would say there is no problem of believing in Jesus today — at least not in this country.
The following is a quote from Strong exhaustive concordance of the Bible “They sought for distinction and praise by outward observance of external rites and by outward forms of piety, and such as ceremonial washings, fastings, prayers, and alms giving; and, comparatively negligent of genuine piety, they prided themselves on their fancied good works.”
We live in a world where lip service is given to God by so many leaders of society and they carefully define the limits of what service to God should be. We find ourselves disagreeing with their limits, yet fail to speak up because of fear — fear we will be marked as a religious fanatic. We justify our silence by thinking “if I speak up then I’ll lose all chance to influence them”.
Brethren, influence is brought to bear only by people who have the courage to state that conviction in a way that others can see. Will you be a Pharisee or a disciple?
Day 124: 1 Samuel 20:1-42 — Torn Between the Two!
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
How many times have we been torn between our loyalties to two people? It is a good question and I know I have. What do we do? Who do we side with? How do I let one down? Our reading is a fascinating and moving story and it has a significant part in David’s life. Jonathan was in such a predicament. He loved his father Saul and was a good friend with David. I suppose it would be easy to criticize Jonathan for this but I really do think we have had a similar problem. Saul was driven by excessive fear and by a paranoid jealousy of David and David was set to be king but continued to show loyalty and respect to Saul as the Lord’s anointed. So, how do you resolve the dilemma of being torn in two?
It is easy to answer the question in Jonathan’s case. As readers of the text, we are privy to the outcome. We know that David is ultimately to be king. So, we side with David. But what do we do in our relationships? I think this story may point us in a spiritual direction. We might should take some time to think about what God’s plans are. What does God want me to do? I think in my own case these situations have been resolved more easily when I look at it from this perspective. I get in trouble when I look at it from my point of view, from my feelings, or from what most benefits me. Just one more thing, it may be beneficial for us to be respectful to the one in authority even if we disagree. We succeed like David did when we stay within the realm of God’s plan through His Word.