The 14th chapter concludes this book written by the prophet Hosea. Its content reflects the heart of God as He draws on and appeals to the people of Israel once again.
V.1 is the call to return. Nothing fancy. No great process to embrace to get ready to "meet thy Maker." Just "Return to the Lord." Vv.2-3 give the substance of repentance. Now this is pretty key because some want to just "slip back in" after they "slipped out" and act like nothing has happened.
This is not God's way and the reasons are simple: God desires and deserves the glory in our Redemption and Restoration...so, we refused Him glory by leaving and further refuse Him glory by returning and acting like it is "no big deal" or "our idea." Now I am not a big fan of church as some kind of "show" or a series of strung together rituals...but I wonder if it would not be more glorifying to God to actually acknowledge our failure, repentance, and God's restoration.
In 1996, after having gone through a pretty difficult time which is too lengthy to discuss in any detail here, a man spoke at a Sunday night service at our church. He came to speak to me and the 450 other people were there to witness. (Yes this is leading up to my 1 John 1:9...sermonette.) Marvin called for a commitment that night. He asked us to commit to God. 30-35 of us came forward that night to simply admit before our church family that we were headed in a wrong way and had yielded to God that night. Marvin did the unspeakable that night...he went up and down the line of people that were standing in front of the whole church (with everyone staring at us) and began to verify what we were doing there. He was questioning for first time decisions. He was asking about rededications (which is a bad Baptist word for repentance and restoration...but that too is another sermon.) He even paused at me when I spoke of my rededication. I was so broken up over the course I had been on...he thought he had a "first time" salvation on his hands.
Now some of you may be cringing at the thought of having some of your "laundry" on display in front of a church. In fact, you cringe every week. During the invitation, you consider coming and kneeling at the altar and praying...but then are reminded that it will only extend the protracted service...people will wonder if you are a mass murderer...whether you wore an outfit that covers everything if you kneel...or whether you will be able to get back up once you get down. These are things that have afflicted me (except the clothing that covers-- since I quit wearing dresses over a week ago...JOKING). This is nothing but PRIDE and it is always a sin when it steals from God's glory.
When we move from our repentance forward in the text: we see God healing their/our apostasy (which is a bible word for "backsliding" or "falling away"). We see God's restoration of His people to a place of glory...a place of usefulness...a place of protection...and a place of fruitfulness again. What brings this all on?
Simply stated: The heart of a Heavenly Father who says, Come; The yieldedness of a person who says "Have mercy on me"; the work of a Savior who says, "It is finished"; and the promise of God that says, "Welcome home."
Proverbs 19: 18 is a takeaway today. "Discipline your son while there is hope and do not desire his death."
One could take this verse a lot of different ways...but here is where I think it is going. As parents, we must be diligent to use every opportunity to instruct our children in the ways of a godly person. We must not stop this, but must be all the more diligent as they age and as we continue to have influence. To not do so, is to (implicitly) desire their separation for God. In other words, when we fail to do as we have been called to do...we set them up for failure. Our discipline is not a burden to them (though they say it is); rather, it is the empowerment and equipping that helps them enjoy fruitful lives. So, since someone has to pay the price...it must be us.
Grace,
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4 comments:
First of all, thanks Chris for posting your thoughts. I'm getting much more out of reading along with you than I was reading a couple chapters on my own and not thinking anymore about them. I don't generally post, but I am following along. :)
Secondly, I just wanted to add that in addition to giving God glory; publicly acknowledging our failure, repentance, and God's restoration has benefits to us and everyone around us. When we're transparent with how God is working in us, it gives others courage to do the same. Plus, God blesses us in it.....not to mention the freedom! At a time when the Lord made me confess my sin publicly, I was amazed to see how it touched others afterward and caused them to get back on track with the Lord too. I'm still amazed at how God blessed me with one of my best friends through that time.....a person I had sinned against and didn't really care for, but God knit our hearts together as prayer partners in the months that followed. That being said, confession doesn't have to be in front of the whole church......maybe one other Christian friend....maybe our lifegroup...however the Lord leads. James 5:16 tells us to confess our sins to one another, but we don't do it way too often. It is hard in the moment.
Lastly, I'm glad you didn't list wondering if the nursery would come looking for you while you're at the altar on your list. That could step on toes. :)
Good Comment Margie! It is amazing to watch God put lives together that we would have never had if we had not been in His will. I agree with you and Pastor Chris, there are time when you could confess your sins with a prayer partner however if God has placed a burden on us to go take something to the alter we must go and lay it down. For me, this is how God helps me to deal with all of that stinkin Pride that I have in my life. I have been guilty of not going to the alter when the spirit calls and it is for just what Chris said "I don't want anyone to think I am a backslider and a Sinner". How silly am I, so I have to realize that worship is not about anyone but God and if He's dealing with me then Praise God cause that means He ain't done with me yet...:) yeehaw!!! That's good news.
Thanks for the study in Hosea Pastor, can't wait to see what tomorrow brings...:) It has been very enlightening for me.
Margie, that is why they started the 7-UP program, because we always get more when we actually study and get to give each other feedback. Do not worry about posting with your thoughts for three reasons:
1) Out of the mouths of babes - I've gotten wisdom from sources I wouldn't have expected it from, often enough from a "silly" question or comment that made me see something differently or have to try to explain the answer.
2) It lets others see your insight on something. While Scripture is not of personal interpretation, because of who we are and our past lives, we sometimes emphasize certain points that others wouldn't.
3) It gets you used to posting.
Back on topic: In Proverbs, for your takeaway verse, I saw what you did, but immediately looked at it the other way, since we are sons to the Father. It didn't take long:
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (Hebrews 12:5b-11)
Kamatu,
Thanks for your post. First, many people don't know about 7up so, for them, it was a bible reading plan used at the church in 2007. Also, the goal of this blog is not to get people into posting as you shared with Margie. Many people read the posts that never write anything. That is cool too. Your other observations about learning for one another is dead on. I learn a little something (some profitable...some not) from every post.
As for your observation on Proverbs...there is certainly a parallel on parental responsibility for us and the conduct of our heavenly Father toward us. As such you can draw the connection...but, the genre of Proverbs is not so much about revealing theological concepts as it is abotu providing generally true maxims to live by. That is why I applied it as I did.
Thanks for the post.
Grace,
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