In my daily devotions I have been studying Hosea. I have to admit it is the first time I have really looked at it rather than just reading it. God's heart for His people leapt out of the pages and I was overwhelmed by His love toward Israel and Judah despite all their sin and wickedness. despite the fact that they ignored the prophet, and all the other prophets. God gave them chance after chance to turn to Him with a contrite and repentant heart and submit to His will, but they would not.
As a parent there have been many times when I have had to punish my children for various things, did they listen, did they take heed, not always sometimes it was a long time before they no longer made the same mistakes. Despite my frustration, anger, and hurt did I stop loving them? No, I did not, but when they were grown they made their own choices and did their own thing, some left and moved away but then came back, some moved away and never came back, keeping themselves estranged from me and the rest of the family. I pray that one day there will be reconciliation and restoration of our relationship. God's heart was broken and continues to be so today, He hasn't finished with Israel, He loves Him with an everlasting love and has promised that one day all Israel will be saved. But what about the rest of us, the Gentiles so to speak, God yearns for us also and longs that we should know Him. He gave His Son to take the punishment for our sins that we might be righteous, free, and have a joy and peace that the world knows nothing of. A joy and peace that doesn't depend on how I'm feeling, or on my circumstances, on whether or not I have a job, or am in good health. It is a joy and peace that is rooted in Christ Jesus. We can accept His gift of salvation or we can reject it as Israel in Hosea's time rejected their God, the only true God, the Creator of the world.
When we accept it then we don't abuse it, there is a very wishy washy, sentimental idea of the gospel in some of our churches today, it's alright because God loves me so I know He'll forgive me. We would be absolutely incensed if we heard a husband say of his wife, "It doesn't matter what I do to her because she will always forgive me" and yet this is how people treat God. Our lives are to be lived for Him, and we should allow Him to live through us. We are the heart of God on earth, we are to love the Father, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and the lost as Jesus does. We are His eyes here on earth, we are to see and take note of injustice, pain, and heartache, we are His ears, we are to hear the cries of the lost, and the lonely. We are His mouth we are to speak against injustice, we are to speak for truth, the absolute Truth against the lies, and hypocrisy in our churches. We are His feet and hands and we are to go where their is a need and help. We are to do what we can, where we can, when we can in the name of Christ for the glory of God and His kingdom. Our heart should beat in tune with His.
Lawrence O Richards wrote the Daily Devotional Commentary, here is an excerpt on Hosea 6. Love Like a Morning Mist
Some people are hopelessly optimistic. “I know,” they say “I know I did wrong, and God has punished me for it. If I just say, “I am sorry,” everything will be alright, won’t it? That’s a kind of blithe optimism portrayed in verses 1-3. and it makes God shake His head in frustration. These people seem to think that if they come to God and say “please,” the Lord will be so delighted that He’ll fall all over Himself to do them good. But God wasn’t interested in superficial religion then. And He isn’t impressed by it today. God’s judgements were intended to bring about fundamental change in attitude, not a return to church! And so God said, “Your love is like a morning mist,” and I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” What do these two phrases tell us? First, that God isn’t interested in fleeting emotions we may feel toward Him. He wants complete commitment. There’s a vast difference between the “I Love you’s” breathlessly exchanged in the backseat of a car, and the "I do’s” shared at a wedding!
Second, love for God is to be shown not in religious ceremonies but in daily life. Flowers are nice. But real love is better shown by helping with the dishes, changing dirty diapers, and “being there” when support and encouragement are needed. God isn’t satisfied with a bouquet tossed His way on Sunday. He wants us to show our love for him daily by doing His will. And so God seems to shake His head, and in frustration wonder aloud, “What can I do with you, Ephraim?” Despite the testimony of God’s Law and the words of His prophets, Israel's concept of relationship with the Lord still remained shallow. And today we also tend to have a shallow concept of God. God has no use for a “love” that is as fleeting as the morning mist.
"If you truly want to help the soul of your neighbour, you should approach God first with all your heart. Ask Him simply to fill you with love, the greatest of all virtues, with it you can accomplish what you desire." Vincent Ferrer.
