Hosea 8:4-5
"They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval. With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction. Throw out your calf-idol, O Samaria! My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of purity?"
"How long will they be incapable of purity?"
These words are so applicable today. After all that God has done to redeem us, we are so prone to depart from Him, to seek the pleasure of our own lust, and to focus upon ourselves the glory and praise that are due to God alone.
Seemingly, we have time, energy, and concern for "everything but God." How feeble are our excuses! When an opportunity for service arises, the time is not convenient. When we need to be responsible, other things occupy us. How unfaithful we are when it comes to spending time with God in the study of His Word, or in intercessory prayer for the needs and concerns of others. How needful it is for us to search our hearts to see "where Christ is" in our spiritual journey. I think we will find that He is right where we left Him. He is waiting to cleanse and reconcile us to that blessed communion we once had with Him. Just as God asked Israel, so He says to us, "How long will you be incapable of purity, of giving your heart fully unto Me?"
May we learn to lean upon God's strength and discard our weak, sinful self for only then can we confess that we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
blessings,
M.
"that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (2 Corinthians 2:5)
20 May 2008
Incapable of Purity
Hosea 8:4-5
"They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval. With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction. Throw out your calf-idol, O Samaria! My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of purity?"
"How long will they be incapable of purity?"
These words are so applicable today. After all that God has done to redeem us, we are so prone to depart from Him, to seek the pleasure of our own lust, and to focus upon ourselves the glory and praise that are due to God alone.
Seemingly, we have time, energy, and concern for "everything but God." How feeble are our excuses! When an opportunity for service arises, the time is not convenient. When we need to be responsible, other things occupy us. How unfaithful we are when it comes to spending time with God in the study of His Word, or in intercessory prayer for the needs and concerns of others. How needful it is for us to search our hearts to see "where Christ is" in our spiritual journey. I think we will find that He is right where we left Him. He is waiting to cleanse and reconcile us to that blessed communion we once had with Him. Just as God asked Israel, so He says to us, "How long will you be incapable of purity, of giving your heart fully unto Me?"
May we learn to lean upon God's strength and discard our weak, sinful self for only then can we confess that we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
blessings,
M.
"that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (2 Corinthians 2:5)
"They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval. With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction. Throw out your calf-idol, O Samaria! My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of purity?"
"How long will they be incapable of purity?"
These words are so applicable today. After all that God has done to redeem us, we are so prone to depart from Him, to seek the pleasure of our own lust, and to focus upon ourselves the glory and praise that are due to God alone.
Seemingly, we have time, energy, and concern for "everything but God." How feeble are our excuses! When an opportunity for service arises, the time is not convenient. When we need to be responsible, other things occupy us. How unfaithful we are when it comes to spending time with God in the study of His Word, or in intercessory prayer for the needs and concerns of others. How needful it is for us to search our hearts to see "where Christ is" in our spiritual journey. I think we will find that He is right where we left Him. He is waiting to cleanse and reconcile us to that blessed communion we once had with Him. Just as God asked Israel, so He says to us, "How long will you be incapable of purity, of giving your heart fully unto Me?"
May we learn to lean upon God's strength and discard our weak, sinful self for only then can we confess that we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
blessings,
M.
"that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (2 Corinthians 2:5)
