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

My text for today comes from a rather confusing book for me in the Old Testament. Hosea is the story about a prophet of God who is called to rescue a prostitute and marry her. And when she returns to her old way of life, then rescue her again! Not what I would define as an ideal marriage. I trust that God gave Hosea equivalent strength and faith consistent with this calling in his life. I’m glad He didn’t call me to that life!

In the book I found two really key verses that help me in my journey and calling in life. The first is a reminder that there are consequences in life—“They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind!” The calm breeze may not seem like a big deal; in fact it might even seem refreshing or enjoyable—kind of like bad choices sometimes. They don’t seem bad when I’m making them but… enough wind and enough bad choices and they can result in a tornado or a life full of a whirlwind of consequences. I need to be careful with the wind and my choices. Because they may just become a tornadic whirlwind!

The second verse reminds me of human nature, especially sinful human nature. It says, “When I fed them they were satisfied, when they were satisfied they became proud and they forgot me.” In the margin of my Bible I have written. “What’s a God to do?” When I need something and don’t get it I may start complaint to, or about God; when He gives me what I need I may become so satisfied that I forget about Him because I don’t need anything! What’s a God to do? He just can’t win with sinful human nature. That’s why I can’t be satisfied with settling for less than desiring to be like Him. David describes it as, “Give me an undivided heart (toward God) SO THAT I can honor His name.”

But there He is, like faithful Hosea, taking me back, again and again. I’m satisfied and then forgetful of Who satisfied me; I sow a little wind and then a little more until I’ve made a tornado out of my life, and there He is to pick me up, care for me, feed me—and when I’m satisfied again I might be tempted to return to my pride and self sufficiency and forget Him again.

What’s a God to do? Fortunately I have the story of Hosea, because God is like Hosea and sometimes I am like the prostitute wife. I pray I learn the lesson of faithfulness and thankfulness to His never-ending love.

Have a great day responding well to His love,

Pastor Rich

Quote for the day: "The strength of the church is not the strength of its institutions but the authenticity of its witness." Leonard Sweet

PS This should have been the first day of school! And we have two weeks under our belts already. I think we'll be glad when Thanksgiving comes and we can enjoy the 6 week break!!