LEARNING DAILY

 

Hosea 14:9, Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

 

The writings of the prophet Hosea were about God’s call for him to remain faithful to an unfaithful wife. By doing this, Hosea’s marriage was to represent the unrelenting love of God for His people. God had made a covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai during the exodus from Egypt. The unfaithful wife represented Israel’s unfaithful walk with God. At this time Israel was divided into northern and southern kingdoms; the northern kingdom of Israel was centered in idolatry, chaos, and evil; they lived a life that had broken every commandment. Adultery was incorporated into the nation’s religion and it was this spiritual adultery that Hosea spoke out against. Yet God was longsuffering toward His people and sent prophets like Hosea to speak to the people about turning from their idolatry and wicked lifestyles – to repent – in order to return to living under the covenant established with Him. But the people did not do so.

 

Spiritual adultery began when Israel’s affections began to move away from God. Israel became attracted to other things, fascinated and absorbed in other things to the point that God became second to the lifestyle presented by foreign nations. When that happened Israel’s affections, love and allegiance to God began to be replaced with other interests and pursuits. Spiritual adultery occurs when one replaces God with one’s own interests and wants. The only answer to this is to repent, to come back to placing God first in one’s life. Hosea calls this person wise and prudent. But transgressors be warned that not repenting will be a stumbling block to you!

 

We are living in evil days. The people of this nation and the world are committing spiritual adultery; people have turned away from God and are unfaithful. But God has not changed – He remains faithful. People continue to chase after wealth, things, position, power and prestige in the eyes of the world. While they do, God is loving them, calling them to come to Him, to return to Him. I do not fully understand God’s love and why He does not give up on us, on me. I just know He does not tell anyone to get themselves cleaned up and get their life in order so He can love us. No! Instead, His love is so great for each of us that He went to a cross to die for every sin we have committed and will commit.

 

Read the last chapter of Hosea. It describes God’s desire for Israel to repent and return to Him. His grace and love for His people are shown and tells us He will transform every heart who confesses and turns from their sins and humbly accepts the forgiveness He offers. God loves His people – you and me – deeply and wants us to experience His love, mercy, grace and many blessings! I have read that it is not the sins of God’s people that cause Him to discipline them but their refusal to repent of their sin.

 

The United States of America must repent! If it does not, the nation will face God’s judgment like Israel did. I see no where in Scripture that God enjoys disciplining His people. God’s desire is to bless His people. He has compassion on those who repent and come to Him. He wants each person to walk on the narrow way to eternal life with Him. May each of us be wise in understanding the need for walking on the narrow way, the way of the righteous. True wisdom involves understanding God and His ways; it is expressed through a lifestyle that is centered in His standards of righteousness and a right relationship with Him.