relationships (Hosea 14:1-9) Forgiveness vs Holding Grudges

(Hosea 14:1-9)

1   Return, Israel, to the Lord your God,
     For you have stumbled because of your wrongdoing.
2   Take words with you and return to the Lord.
     Say to Him, “Take away all guilt 
     And receive us graciously,
     So that we may present the fruit of our lips.
3   Assyria will not save us,
     We will not ride on horses;
     Nor will we say again, ‘Our god’
     To the work of our hands;
     For in You the orphan finds mercy.”

4   I will heal their apostasy,
     I will love them freely,
     Because My anger has turned away from them.
5   I will be like the dew to Israel;
     He will blossom like the lily,
     And he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon.
6   His shoots will sprout,
     His majesty will be like the olive tree,
     And his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon.
7   Those who live in his shadow
     Will again raise grain,
     And they will blossom like the vine.
     His fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8   Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?
     It is I who answer and look after you.
     I am like a luxuriant juniper;
     From Me comes your fruit.

9   Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;
     Whoever is discerning, let him know them.
     For the ways of the Lord are right,
     And the righteous will walk in them,
     But wrongdoers will stumble in them.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

This chapter is so amazingly encouraging!  As believers, may we strive to be like God, in how He loves and forgives!  God loves us freely... meaning, He does not hold any grudges, but desires that all come to know Him personally, and humbly come to Him for His forgiveness and salvation.  He does not expect any sort of payment from us in order to receive His love.  He loved us so much that He came in flesh to accomplish His work on the cross.  He has paid the price for all sin and offers us forgiveness and eternal life as a gift.  A free gift to set us free from all sin, which is only available in the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is a gift we can never lose, and God will never take it away from us.  God's grace seals us for eternity, so no matter what we do or don't do, we cannot lose our salvation.  But let us understand that this should not be taken lightly or as an excuse to continue sinning.  If we are wise and discerning, we will know and understand that the ways of the Lord are - not only right - but beneficial to our lives.  To trust in God and His word is to walk with Him and walk according to His word, knowing that we will never be disappointed.

The evidence of our personal relationship with the Lord is our trust and obedience.  And in this, the Lord will bless us and make us fruitful!   Again, in the same way, as believers, we should be edifying, mentoring and encouraging one another in our continued walk with the Lord, for He is love, He is our example, and He is our help!