Hosea 13:1-3 - When
Ephraim spoke, men trembled; he was exalted in
Israel. But he became guilty of Baal worship and died. Now they sin more and more; they make idols for themselves from their silver, cleverly
fashioned images, all of them the work of craftsmen. It is said
of these people, "They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calf-idols." Therefore they will be like the
morning mist, like the early dew that disappears, like chaff swirling from a threshing floor, like smoke escaping through a window.
God gave Hosea a message that reminded his people how far
they had drifted form God’s purpose and will.
They had once been a strong nation…fearing God and keeping his commands.
They grew and thrived in the close relationship they had with God. But they had
forgotten God…leaving him for idols of all kinds….committing sins so unthinkable
that God was going to allow something drastic to show them the error of their
ways.
God used many people to strengthen his people…to help them
grow in knowledge and thrive in their Christian walk. I think of Moses…who
showed them how to be obedient….no matter what.
I think of Jacob…later called Israel……who left his home on sheer faith…to
be escorted into a land so rich with resources that the countless children he
had would become a great an prosperous nation.
I think of Naomi…who taught her family the power of love …to heal and
restore any hurt or pain that God allows in our lives.
The journey we take with God is not a one-time climb up a
mountain. We don’t reach greatness and keep it forever. My life Application
Bible notes put it this way…. “Greatness in the past or present is not a guarantee
of greatness in the future. We must keep
our relationship up to date, so we can grow and thrive.”
Moses climbed that mountain to get God’s commands...but then
he brought them back down and gave them to the people. He constantly talked with God and interceded
for the people when he knew they had sinned. Jacob talked with God about his plan…even wrestling
with God’s angel for a blessing until he felt God was a part of hs heart and
life…so he could use his strength when it got hard. Naomi read the word and
studied it all her life…so she could use its truth to find the courage to move
forward after her family had been taken from her. She was able to teach these
truths to even a pagan like Ruth…and give her the tools to transform her life
as well.
It is a great reminder to me that a relationship with God
takes constant work. It is not a once a
year visit to church for a holiday service. It is not one casual glance at a
scripture each morning. It is not an
occasional prayer when things go wrong.
It is a constant attitude of prayer….asking him to be a part of everything
that you do. It is a purposeful search
of his word to study and find ways to apply the truths to the problems he has
allowed in our lives. It is finding a fellowship of believers to worship with
on a regular basis…so they can give you support and teach you things you have
yet to learn.
Father….thank you for the reminder that I need to build a
strong relationship with you with prayer … study of the Bible….and worship time
in a church. Forgive me when I have let
my relationship with you grow weak because I have tried to coast on what I did
in the past. Help me to build my strength by spending more time with you in
prayer. Show me new ways to study your
word and glean the truths that will help me be a better Christian to the
world. Bless the time I spend in
fellowship with other believers in worship and teaching. Amen.
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