Sorry to not have put up a new post since Friday. I was out of town leading a Men's Conference on Saturday and (honestly) I was too tired on Sunday to write anything. I tried to type some stuff but everything was jumbled up like I had never seen a keyboard before.
As we come to the last chapter of Hosea, we see here in chapter 10 more on the coming judgment against Israel's sin. Several elements are discussed. The pridefulness of the people and their utter independence from God are what struck me the most as I read this. In vv. 1-2, there is a correlation between what the people have (possessions/wealth) and their worship (response to God). The more fruit- the more altars; the richer the land- the better the places of worship (v.1). Notice how God evaluates that: (v.2) "Their heart is faithless, now they must bear their guilt."
The acts of worship were there, but they were in proportion to what they had...what they had acquired. Their "worship" was from abundance. It was driven by emotion. They were the final decision makers on when and how they would worship. Not God.
God has not called us to worship him when it is convenient or in a manner that fits our checkbook or horoscope. He has called us to a faithful response to Him, His Word, and His expressed will. When we respond in faith to Him...we come to see that we are satisfied with what we have (possessions). Here is the key though...We may not store up abundance in possession because of our worship of Him...but we find joy and contentment in what we have...whether it is the bare necessities, or an abundance. This was what the Apostle Paul was speaking of in Philippians 4. His faithful response toward God, meant he had joy in God...whether he was hungry or eating a 22 oz. Ribeye. (okay the steak is my idea! )
Proverbs 15:25 is the takeaway for me today. "The Lord will tear down the house of the proud, but he will establish the boundary of the widow." Now this verse dows not mean God is into house demolition. It means that those who trust in anything other than God will be utterly disappointed. The last phrase explains this. God will establish the boundary (the provision of land that will sustain her) for the widow (the one who has placed her trust wholly and completely in Him.) In other words, the only reliable means of providing for oneself is to trust in God alone and KNOW that He will provide.
Grace,
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
3 comments:
Great word, brother. After some persuasive discussion and prayer this weekend, I have been lead to read your thoughts. I was moved to follow the ref. in Hosea 10:5 to 1 kings 12:28 thru chapter 13. Great is the Word of the Man of God, but woe to the disobedience to His commands (preaching to myself).
I'm excited about the blog, even though it wasn't ready this morning haha
Empty worship. Putting on my church face. I wish these are things I could say I have never done but I would not be being honest with you or myself. I am reminded a lot lately that God doesn't want part of me, He wants it all. So if that is what God has commanded of me, I must comply. It is scary to me, the idea that God may look at my heart one day and find my heart faithless and then make me bear guilt. That would stink, I must be found faithful. Thanks for The Word!
anon,
Good cross reference. Thanks for pointing it out. Whatcha mean it was not up? I posted before 7 I thought? Maybe I am slipping or I need to get more spiritual and wake up EARLIER :)
Amanda,
I wish I never put on a face too...but the fact is, we all do it. God does want us all...and He shows grace toward us as we journey to the place where we do give him our all. Faithless people don't worry about being found guilty. Just as God looks at our actions and our hearts perfectly, He also looks at us with abundant grace. Faith is a journey, not a destination. Stay the course. It sounds to me like you are right on track.
Grace,
Post a Comment