Passage Read: Hosea 8-11
Meditation Verse: 11:12
Thought
God just determined not to execute His fierce anger against Ephraim, because He is God and not man. He can overlook sin and forgive. He is not ruled by His passions; He is bigger than those who continually offend Him. He can take the hit. Instead, He promises to roar like a lion, and at His roar, His sons will come trembling from the west and Egypt and Assyria, trembling because He is almighty, because He has roared. He has called them back, but as a lion. Will He consume them or protect them? He will settle them in their own homes. They should be afraid, but they have nothing to fear. They have offended Him; He would be right to destroy them, but He is willing to reestablish them in their own land. Then He ends with this statement: Ephraim surrounds Him with lies and deceit, and Judah also is unruly against Him. The Lord does good, but His people feign honor and obedience while actively resisting His direction!
Application
How does He put up with us? It is beyond me, but I am so grateful for it. I have offended Him so often, yet He is determined to give me a place in His kingdom. How can I feign obedience, worship, respect? He deserves the real thing? Why do I resist His will and ways? If He has said it, just do it! Why debate? Why argue? Why question? Just surrender in truth, wholeheartedly! There is no point in deceiving Him. There is no value in resisting Him.