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“When I fed them, they were satisfied…” Hosea 13:6

What’s a God to do? It’s a good thing I’m not Him!! Hosea was my focus this morning and it’s quite an “interesting” story to say the least. This prophet was called on to go, in my opinion, WAY above and beyond the call of duty. But it’s a good thing that God’s opinion is more important than mine, because God wanted to provide a living illustration, through this prophet, of His unrelenting love and faithfulness to His people, NO MATTER WHAT.

But, at the same time, my very simple-minded picture of God sometimes has Him scratching his divine head and wondering, “What am I going to do with these people?” Today’s verse reminded me of that picture! “When I fed them, they were satisfied.” I wish it stopped right there. I wish the picture could be of an appreciative bunch that were so grateful for all God’s blessings that they would not only be satisfied physically, but satisfied spiritually that they had indeed found the God who loves them, and then they would love Him back.

Unfortunately there’s the second part of the verse. “When I fed them, they were satisfied… BUT… when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.” If He satisfied them they forgot Him, and if He didn’t give them what they wanted then they complain. “What’s a God to do?” How sad; but unfortunately how true—then, and maybe even now. Do God’s blessings keep Him at the center of my life, or do they cause me to put Him on the “back burner” until I need another blessing, while, in the meantime, I go about my life, hopefully with a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving, but sometimes forgetting Him, or maybe even just privately proud that I am such a blessed person without living like I acknowledge the continual source of my blessings?

The soup-opera story that begins the book, ends with a vivid picture of what Hosea was dealing with in his day. It might just also be a too-vivid picture of what God might have to see when He looks at my society, or sometimes even me, today. What’s a God to do?

Have a great day using God’s blessing to keep Him central in all you do,

Pastor Rich

Quote for the day: “Assume anyone you meet is decent, thoughtful, and worthy of your time. You’ll be right about most people and the rest deserve a chance to rise to your expectations.”

PS uGather – 10:35 in the church. This is our weekly time of “Celebrating Community in Christ.” This week we welcome Gary Thurber, Union College Board Chairman and president of the Mid America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventist. We’ve invited him to share his dream for Union College.

PPS Preview Days- This is our first of several weekends throughout the year where prospective future family members will be visiting our campus. Thanks for sharing the “Union Spirit” with them. YOU are our best recruiters so if you see a guest on campus be sure and greet them and make them feel welcome.