Hosea 12-14 Still He Waits For Us

“The Israelites made the Lord angry when they killed other people, and they deserve to die for their crimes.  The Lord will make them pay for the disgraceful things they have done.”

God says, “I, the Lord, have been your God since you were in the land of Egypt.  You should have known no other God except Me.  I am the only one who saves … they became too proud and forgot Me … The nation of Israel will be ruined, because it fought against God.”

Hosea then pleads, “Israel, return to the Lord your God, because your sins have made you fall.  Come back to the Lord.”

God predicts what will happen after they have gone into captivity:  “I will forgive them for leaving Me and will love them freely, because I am not angry with them anymore … the people of Israel will again live under My protection.  They will grow … They will bloom … I, the Lord, am the One who answers your prayers and watches over you.  I am like a green pine tree; your blessings come from Me.”

Sometimes we simply ignore everything God tells us and every warning He sends, and we do so to our peril.  When we do, He will let us bear the responsibility for our rebellion and sin.  But He doesn’t stop loving us.  We are His, and He desires to love us, bless us, and show us how to live in a way that is pleasing to Him.  It isn’t slavery, but freedom from the pain sin always brings.

Father, sin just doesn’t pay.  Whatever temporary feelings of joy or euphoria we might experience is far outweighed by the effect it has on our relationship with You.  When I am tempted to sin, remind me that Satan has his thumb on the scales, making sure that I’m getting a lot less than I think, and it’s costing me more that I could ever imagine.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford