RE Verse reading–Hosea 11:1-11, 14:1-2 (day six) “Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall.” (14:1) Most of us don’t drive in reverse very well. It is awkward and uncomfortable. In the same way, many believers are unfamiliar with the powerful possibilities of going backwards in life. The very idea seems impossible. No one can start over with God (or with anyone else for that matter) Too much water under the bridge. God declares a different truth. Beginning again is possible! Like prodigals we are invited to come home to our “first love” and a fresh chapter of God’s blessing. The evidence is overwhelming that we should do so. Our sins have been our downfall. In 1980 Ronald Reagan asked Americans, “Are you better off than you were 4 years ago?” What would the honest answer be if God asked us the same question? To get forward we must go backward. It is time to return to God.
Amen….we must return and love Him with ALL our hearts.
What a powerful truth you have hit upon. It has been very recent for me that the Lord has helped me to really live out another portion of His Word. I was struggling for a long time forgiving someone….I fought the good fight and “forgave” this person so many times that it was ridiculous. It was because I was not following His Word by going all the way back to Agape Love. Forgiving is good… really good…. and is a great place to start, but as I found out, if you yourself in that relationship want to be free, you must go all the way back to Agape Love (Matt 18:35). This was the missing link for me that set me free. Agape Love does not reference how the other person treats you and so anyone can allow the Spirit to lead them into this, without reference to how the other person is acting/living.
It seems like so many marriages live in turmoil at best and destruction at worst because there is no path for true forgiveness/restoration. Christians in this regard live just the same as non-believers. What a shame. My testimony is that, because of our new nature, we CAN not only live in forgiveness but actually let the Spirit guide us into Agape Love which will lead us back into restoration with others as we love them and use our spiritual gifts for their good. Often someone has to “get well” in order to be the catalyst God uses to help the others “get well.” God wants to work through us and wants us to love one another deeply. We just have to be willing to let His will be done. The alternative is to remain in bondage/defeat…
I read your blog and then in a few minutes this article about the Passover at mysa.com (the Express News). These people say they are “returning” but there is a stark contrast between this current call to return and God’s call in Hosea. Astounding.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/religion/article/Traditional-modern-mix-at-Seder-3465443.php