Wallowing in the Past

O. T. #2063   "Wallowing in the Past"

Nov. 8, 2021

Hosea 13

LET IT GLOW

Psalm 103:10-12 says, He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.

Look what Life Application Study Bible has to say:

When God forgives our sin, He separates it from us and doesn't even remember it. We need never wallow in the past, for God forgives and forgets. We tend to dredge up the ugly past, but God has wiped our record clean. If we are to follow God, we must model His forgiveness. When we forgive another, we must also forget the sin. Otherwise, we have not truly forgiven.

After reading this, I know one thing, I need to quit wallowing in the past hurt pool. I tend to swim there. Sometimes it almost drowns me. Forgive and forget, and go on. That is hard to do. With Jesus, I can. How about you?

LET IT GROW

Ephraim was a reference for the northern kingdom of Israel. Ephraim and Manasseh were the sons of Joseph; Ephraim Jacob blessed, but was not the first born. They felt they were an important tribe and deserved to be listened to and obeyed. Their pride caused them trouble. Gideon and Jephthah had to deal with it. The Ephraimites refused to submit to David's rule after King Saul died. They were so powerful that the kingdom was even called by their name.

The down-fall of Ephraimites was their idol worship. They made golden calves and offered human sacrifices to the man-made idols, even kissing them, worshiping them. Also, idols were made of gold and silver.

But idols are nothing. Hosea compared the people to the "nothings" with which they were familiar.

In verse 3, Israel was like:

• the early morning dew which vanishes away when the sun rises;
• the chaff that the wind blows away;
• smoke that disappears out the window and is seen no more.

[Resource: The Wiserbe Bible Commentary]

Through Jacob, God had promised abundant blessings to Joseph and his sons, and that promise was fulfilled. (Gen. 48-49) It's too bad the people did not use what God gave them for God's glory. Her days were numbered and soon they would vanish away.

Our lives are like dew, chaff, and smoke. Soon it will vanish into the grave. It is what we do with Jesus now that counts. Do you know Him as Your Savior? After we die it is too late, friend. He is God's Son who died in our place so we can be in heaven with Him forever. Either we believe Jesus took our place in sin-punishment or we pay for our sins personally. It is our choice.

LET IT GO

Seek Jesus' forgiveness of my sins.

Forgive others of their sins toward me.

Receive mercy and give mercy today.