S) "6 Therefore, return to your God,
Observe kindness and justice,
And wait for your God continually."
Hosea 12:6 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Hosea 12
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Hosea 12
O) While Hosea had been sent to Israel, and he repeatedly used Ephraim as an example of their spiritual adultery, in this chapter God used him to also name Judah as guilty. Then, Hosea used historical references to go back to the root of their nation in Jacob, to make it clear this was applying to all of God's people. God was not only displeased with Ephraim, or even just Israel, but all of His people had betrayed Him. At the same time then, the above verse is a clear reminder that God desires reconciliation with all of His people.
A) The first line feels more than a little "N/A" to me, because I have plans to never leave God. However, the second and third lines really stood out to me today, especially the last line. Instructions from the Old Testament have to be taken carefully in context, to determine how they fit with the new covenant in Jesus Christ. While many of them had to do with sacrifice and temple work, a verse like the one above is different. In the verse above, we see and example of what Jesus meant when He said to love God and to love others. Observing kindness and justice is not the totality of what it means to love others as I want to be loved, but it is definitely part of it. Likewise, to wait for my God continually is not the entirety of what it means to love the Lord my God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength, but it is definitely part of it. The last line of this verse really challenges me, because the word "continually" doesn't leave much room for interpretation, and it doesn't leave any time alone. So, what does it mean to wait for God continually? The first verse that came to mind is when Paul said to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). That doesn't necessarily mean that I'm constantly asking God for things, but it means I'm always open to communicate, my mind is always on speaking to him and hearing from Him. It's like two people being on a phone call, when neither is necessarily talking. Similarly, to wait continually for God does not mean that I am doing nothing else. More appropriately, I think it means I should always be mindful of waiting for Him. Jesus frequently used parables that indicate His return would be sudden, and I should be ready. This should affect everything I do, what I choose to do with my time, and how I do those things.
P) Father, thank You for the grace You have shown me. Thank You for the holiness You keep, that You are perfect in every way. You are faithful, just, merciful, righteous, compassionate, patient, and clear. Your ways are great in every sense. Thank You for the kindness You have shown me. Thank You for disciplining me as a father does for his son. Please open my eyes and ears, God, and give me a heart that fears You. Help me to keep my mind trained on You, and on the return of my Lord Jesus Christ. When I ask for things that have not yet happened, and I ask You to move in some way and I have faith that You will, and it is according to Your will, let me wait for You continually. You fulfill every promise You make. I know that Your timing and my expectation do not always match, though. So, let me wait for You continually. In everything I do, let me think about the coming day of Christ's return, and also that I am waiting for a reply for other prayers. Right now, Lord, I want to move to Montana. I know that it will only happen according to Your will, because it will only happen with a miracle. So, help me to keep my mind on those unanswered prayers. Whether the answer is yes or no, I want to live my life in a way that I am aware of the wait. When Jesus returns tomorrow or fifty years from now, or after I die, I want to live my life in a way that I am aware of the wait. In all of these things, let Your will be done. I only want what You want for me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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