Stepping Over The Line

O. T. #2051 "Stepping Over The Line"

Oct. 21, 2021

Hosea 8

LET IT GLOW

Psalm 94:11-12 says, The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of Thy law.

Psalm 94:14 says, For the LORD will not cast off His people, neither will He forsake His inheritance.

Most of the time I do not stop to think that God knows my thoughts and intentions; He sees in my heart. Our problem is found in Isaiah 55:8-9, His thoughts are not like ours, neither are His ways and our ways.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Are we seeking His thoughts and ways concerning our circumstances? We may not understand the why's  and what for's here, but God has a purpose for them. Thank God that He does not throw us away nor forsake us.

LET IT GROW

The Northern Kingdom had stepped over the line and God's judgment for Israel was inevitable. As Israel turned from God, they looked to their king and wealth to deliver them instead of to God.

Two things are introduced here in verse 1-the trumpet and the eagle. According to Numbers 10, the trumpet was used by the Jews to announce special occasions, to sound alarms, to gather the people for assemblies, and to proclaim war. This call was a trumpet of alarm because the enemy was coming and God was giving His people opportunity to repent.

Secondly, the eagle, Assyria, was going to swoop down and destroy God's house because the nation was given over to idolatry, and the leaders were not seeking God's will in their decisions.

According to verse 2, when this happens, Israel will cry unto God saying they know Him, but it was not a personal way, with a heart knowing of God. Unfortunately, their knowledge of God was only historical.

Since Israel had cast off the good thing, disregarded God's covenant and law, Israel was going to fall into the hands of the enemy.(verse3)

Their problem was that Israel set up their kings and removed their kings to satisfy their own desires, supporting their man-made gods. Without God's involvement in picking their kings, Israel was destined to fail. (verse 4)

Folks, one day the trumpet will sound and believers, living and dead, will rise to meet Jesus in the clouds. Are you ready? Are we listening for that trumpet? 

LET IT GO

Help us, Jesus, to seek Your thoughts and ways for our life.

Thank You for not casting us off  nor forsake us when we fail You.

Such grace and mercy!