Trusting God 09.20.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are completing our studies on the book of Hosea, please read Chapters 7-14 in your Bible or Click Here online. Cut & paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hosea%207-14&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the rebuke and captivity of the northern kingdom of Israel foretold and Israel's blessings through their ruin. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that instead of trusting ourselves we need to trust God to help us through our struggles.

The northern kingdom of Israel seeked the help of heathen nations Egypt and Assyria instead of God. In doing this it caused them (the Israelites) to fall into the worshipping of the idols and false gods that these nations were customed to. God warned the Israelites that He knew of their wickedness, "When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without. And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face." (Hosea 7:1-2).

With a divided heart they chose to serve both God and their own gods. "For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof." (8:14). God then gave a heart rendering plea for them to turn from their gods and seek only to Him, "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." (10:12).

Israel had foolishly put its trust in heathen nations and false gods and in its own ability to manipulate peace and security rather than in the One who is the only true source of security. Still, we see the willingness of God to show mercy and love toward all His children in hopes that they will repent and turn back to Him. God even foretold the blessings that were in store for them, "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein." (14:4-9). These final words of Hosea before the Israelites were conquered and carried away by the Assyrians are a reminder for all of us to realize that the ways of the LORD are right.

Today, when we repent, turn from our sins and receive Jesus into our lives we let the Holy Spirit indwell in us and help guide us away from the power of Satan and sin. "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (I John 1:6-10).

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through the son who was called out of Egypt, (Hosea 11:1).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Give us the faith to trust You at All times, good and bad. Thank You for the mercy and love that You bless us with and the many other blessings that we miss when we are so consumed in our struggles. Help us to keep our focus on You and not on the world and give us the strength and courage to stay away from the idols and gods that keep us from completely trusting in You. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
God bless you,
Christina

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