When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more they were called the more they went away... 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 bands of love. ...I bent down to them and fed them. ...My people are bent on turning away from me. ...How can I give you up, Oh Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Oh Israel? ...My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will return them to their homes, declares YHVH.
The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah; He will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds. You must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.
Ephraim was exalted in Israel. But he became guilty of Baal worship and died. Israel is destroyed because they are against YHVH, their helper. The guilt of Ephraim is stored up, his sins are kept on record.
Return, Israel to YHVH your God. Your sins have been your downfall. Confess and pray for forgiveness. And YHVH will heal their waywardness and love them freely. When Ephraim gives up his idols YHVH will be quick to respond and care for him.
Hosea 14:9 Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of YHVH are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.
How blessed we are, in this age as in no other, to have such easy access to the Words of God. We are able to search them out. Wisdom comes through these words. Wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD. Are we wise? Are we discerning? For in this age of information there is a mixed bag of simple truths as well as deception. We must be discerning. We must be careful.
We are given the freedom to choose to walk in the ways of God or not; down the path of righteousness or the path to destruction. God sets before us both life and death. He wants us to choose life. He has given us everything we need to enter into life. He is willing us to succeed. He is there to hold our hands - to help us when we call out to him. Do we desire God's righteousness? Or do our hearts rebel against the righteousness of God and lead us into sin?
Dear Father,
Thank you for your love. Thank you for your instruction. Thank you for your kindness and care as we stumble and fall and reach up for you. Help us in our journeys to walk on the path of righteousness. Help us to put away our idols and gods and to seek you and love you with all our hearts, minds and souls. Your ways are life. The deceptive ways of sin are death. May we choose life. May we choose you.
Download the Daily Bible Journal CLICK HERE (PDF)
I appreciate reading these journal entries.
ReplyDelete