23-Jan-2024 – Remove the thorns of adultery from your life
When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered…****They are all adulterers… Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people – Hosea 7:1,4,8
“When I would have healed…” indicates that a healing is supposed to happen but did not happen yet. The reason is “the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered”. That means, the iniquity of Ephraim prevented the healing which God already wanted to give.
If we remember the lessons we learnt from the seed, when it fell in the thorny ground, the seed sprung up but the fruit did not come because the thorny bushes overcame the plants. In the same way, healing is planned by God to enable Israel to become whole and perfect. The meaning of healing is the process of making sound and healthy again. That means becoming the perfectly intended position and state.
In our lives too God has many perfect plans. He wanted our lives to lead into the perfectness that we could not get without him. But there are thorns in our life which are preventing or obstructing our journey towards perfection. One aspect that is discussed in this chapter is “adulterers”. The usage of this word is like a spouse being dishonest and maintaining relationship with another person. This is a very serious issue with respect to marital relationship. This becomes an unholy relationship.
Now, if we understand the heart of God why he use such a kind of comparison –
they do not return to the Lord their God, nor seek him for all this – Hosea 7:10
they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria – Hosea 7:11
though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me – Hosea 7:13
Though I have bound and strengthened their arms, yet do they imagine mischief against me – Hosea 7:15
They return, but not to the most High – Hosea 7:16
This clearly shows that the Lord was willing to lead them, guide them, strengthen them, counsel them, love them and nurture them. But these people are looking for other people, kings instead of God. Even though they experienced the hand of God in their situations multiple times, when a fresh issue comes, they looked upon the gentile powerful men instead of God. This is the reason God use that “adulterers” word.
If we could remove these thorny bushes, then the growth would be good and the fruit can be enjoyed. God can tolerate many things but he cannot tolerate his children desiring to take help from others when their loving Father who is King of kings and Lord of Lords ever ready to help and lead them.
Practically in our current time, science and technology advanced to great extents. Because of this, man questions many of the things related to God. This prevents us from depending on God’s guidance and leading. This grows overtime and prevents our spiritual growth, just like the thorny bushes overcoming the good plants.
Let us today spend time in the presence of God and set right the things and receive the perfect healing in our situations.
Prayer
Dear Loving heavenly Father, thank you for loving us. Thank you for your desire to lead us and guide us in our situations. You are the creator, miracle worker, all knowing and all powerful God but you wanted to lead us to perfection. Thank you for loving us so much. Help us by removing the heart of an adulterer from us. Give us a heart of loyal spouse. I pray in the name of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, Amen
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