09/08/2019
When we are yet sinners God loves, and calls us. Before we first turn to Him, many say that not only do they have no use for Him, but that He has no use for them... what folly it is to think in this way. Just as we can’t determine to be born, we likewise can’t determine for God to accept us. The children of Israel didn’t leave Egypt on their own accord... they were called out by a loving God.
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”
Hosea 11:1 ESV
Sometimes, when we are being called the loudest, we resist the most. Have you seen this with yourself in other ways, or in your children when you call out to them and they are otherwise occupied? When we are doing the things we like, our will gets in the way of our obedience to the voice of God that calls us. This was true in this scripture... Judah listened to God, but Israel worships false gods, even so, God called out to Israel in spite of its ways.
“The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols.”
Hosea 11:2 ESV
Are we placing our own wills ahead of God’s will for us today? Are we denying Him and worshiping another... ourselves? Or are we true to His voice like Judah? The wise child comes when called, but the foolish child minds it’s own desires, and faces the suffering of correction. Which of these are we, and did we really think, like Israel, that we walked by our own efforts, or seek help from false gods?
“Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.”
Hosea 11:3-4 ESV
Here God described Himself as a loving Father. We too feed our obedient and disobedient children alike, we love them both, but life is easier for the child that obeys, and who thus avoids the pitfalls, and doesn’t require his our correcting hand. Yet the disobedient child, though fed, is punished until it sees the error of its ways. God treats Israel in this same manner as He gives it over to Assyria.
“They shall not return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me. The sword shall rage against their cities, consume the bars of their gates, and devour them because of their own counsels.”
Hosea 11:5-6 ESV
Then, even though God’s hand has been punishing them Israel comes back to Him, and God’s love for them wins out...
“How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.”
Hosea 11:8-9 ESV
God’s love and correction has won out, and Israel has been returned to their homes swift as flying birds. So it is with us when we see the error of our ways, and our loving God. Through Jesus, we make our way home, swift in the grace and forgiveness that flows from Him, and God’s correction has been made complete in His Son.
“They shall go after the Lord; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west; they shall come trembling like birds from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria, and I will return them to their homes, declares the Lord.”
Hosea 11:10-11 ESV
The Lion of Judah now calls to us, and it is He who will save us. God has demonstrated His love for us through Hid Lamb, Jesus... now the decision is ours... will we answer the call, or continue turning to towards our own will? How will we react to His voice? How will we feel the rod of correction? How will we face our judgement? He calls urgently because time is short.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for calling us to you, and thank you for loving even those who ignore your voice; thank you for correcting them in an effort to change their ways. Do not abandon us Lord, but lead us to that place where your will at last wins out over our own. Love us like you love Israel Father never give us up, or hand us over to our own devices, but lead us into righteousness by the cleansing blood of Jesus, and swiftly bring us home; give us the wings of birds who avoid the pitfalls, and dangers, as the fly straightway over both mountain and valley alike. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God, and Father. Great are you who loves, and corrects, merciful are you who feed us despite our disobedience, and continues to call to us even during our darkest nights. All glory is yours Holy Father, because your mercy and grace lift you up before all creation, and heaven alike. Hear me today Father as my voice shouts desperately...”Here I Am! I Am Coming Father!”
Rich Forbes