Well we're almost through Hosea. So how are you doing with reading, with the message, with identifying and thinking through how this book might help you? Wherever you're at, hang in there and keep reading.
As I started in on chapter 12 today I have to be honest, my first thought was Ugh, more charges and judgment. But when I got to verse 6, my attitude changed. ("'So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.'") You see that verse highlighted for me, not God's anger, but his commitment to, and pursuit of, us. All through Hosea we've seen example after example of how we turn our backs on God and persist in doing our thing our way. You'd expect God to say enough is enough and leave us to our own desires. But amazingly, He doesn't. Instead He tells us over and over "come back and depend on me."
I'm so thankful that God hasn't given up on me over the years. Without His pursuit, I can tell you I wouldn't be actively involved in my church (or even going to one for that matter) or part of a ministry like Back to the Bible. So what about you? What's your experience been with God's pursuit? Tami W.
The phrase "and wait continually for your God" is important. It seems like a passive phrase, one that we should just sit around and wait for some sign that will lead us in the direction of God's will. But shouldn't that waiting be done in the form prayer and getting into the word? Because isn't that where we learn of God's love and justice. I know if I am not in the word and prayer, I can wait a long time and then become mislead by the world and its ways. The more important phrase to me and my life in verse 6 is "by the help of your God." I have to remember I need God's help. I can not live my life my way, because, left to my way, I fail. I need Him.
For me God has shown up for me so many times, reminding me of his love. I think about times when i sin against him ,even doing the things i said i would not do but God just keep fogiving me and helping me in my time of weakness.He helps me to be focus, in reading his words i find comfort, his words draws me closer to him, he pursues me with his words.I am thankful for his amazing love towards me and that he does not hold my sins against me.He is patient ,he is kind and i truly thank him for salvation and the hope that we have in him , in a world full of hopelessness.
I just discovered this P4. It is reassuring that even though our relationship with God may wax and wane, He is faithful to us.