SOAP 04/22/2016; Hosea 13:10-11

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 25, 26; Psalm 63; Matthew 9*

S) "¹⁰ Where now is your king
That he may save you in all your cities,
And your judges of whom you requested,
'Give me a king and princes'?
¹¹ I gave you a king in My anger
And took him away in My wrath."

Hosea 13:10-11 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Hosea 13

O) Here we have a fascinating thing. In today's reading (and recent days), I'm shown who Saul became. Initially, he seemed to be a humble enough guy, even seeming to shy away from becoming king. However, that changed over time, and the anointing of God was taken from him (along with his lineage, and therefore the kingdom). His arrogance and rebellion against God and against Samuel's instructions (which were given by God through the prophet), cost him personally and it cost the kingdom, too. Then, God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse, because God had selected a man after His own heart, and promised that David's throne would be established forever. Then, even a great king and a great man, was led astray by his sin and it cost him personally and it cost the kingdom (although it was delayed). Then Solomon reigned and his sins hurt the kingdom further, and finally the kingdom was split by civil war. Then there was a long line of mostly terrible kings in the northern kingdom of Israel, and a single lineage of spotty goodness in the southern kingdom of Judah. But, it all started because the people were crying out to Samuel, who was their Judge at the time, that they wanted an enthroned king like the neighboring kingdoms. That was not what God wanted. In the verse above, we see God was actually angry about it. He knew that a king over the His people was not going to go well. He knew it would solve nothing, and only serve to lower the aim of the people, who would look less to their God for direction, and more and more look to their king, or else themselves as people sought to claim the kingdom for themselves. God gave them the king they wanted, the king they sought, even the very person they wanted to raise up for themselves, even though He warned them on the spot, through the prophet Samuel, that they were making the decision based on what they could see, but that they could not see the whole picture. He gave them what they wanted, even though it was going to go poorly. He gave them what they wanted, even though it wasn't good.

A) There is a common theme that I've heard repeated over and over for the last five years or so, that God is a good Father who would never give us something if it was bad for us, or that He would only give us good things. They use verses like Matthew 7:11 or James 4:2-3, but I think the verse above may be adding a complexity that is missed with simple messages like what I'm hearing recently. The people of God, His children, asked their God for a king. They asked for something that was bad. They asked for something that angered Him. Yet, He gave them their doomed and ill-fated request. When I read the New Testament verses I mentioned above, I see that Jesus said that the Father would give good gifts to those who ask Him... but that doesn't say He won't give bad gifts to those who ask Him. Also, what about people who are asking, but not really His children? If people are calling themselves Christians, but they are rebelling against God...? Well, James said that people (and he was writing to Christians) do not have because they do not have (presumably, these would be good things), because they don't ask God; they were just seeking to gain it on their own. Or else, they were asking for "good" things but with wrong motives. So, neither one of those passage (or any others that I can find) really say that the God the Father will not give us a bad thing, if we are asking for a bad thing. So I think, and this is maybe the real point, there are many passages in the New Testament, that tell me to pray according to God's will. Jesus said, when we pray we need to say, "Let Your will be done," and John said, "if we ask anything according to His will," then he hears us and we have it. This is all the more reason that it's important for me to seek His will, to want His ways, to ask for His plans to come to pass. Even now, I have requests, I have things that I'd like to have, or have happen. However, I specifically do not want God to do it if that would be bad for me. I don't want Him to give me a king, when having a king would make Him mad and cause me problems. I only want what He wants, and I need to be humble and seek only His will with every prayer, in every part of my life.

P) Father, You are a good God. You are a good Father. I know that Your plans for me are perfectly good. I know that You want what is best for me. Even if I asked for something that is evil, and You let me have it, that doesn't diminish Your goodness. I know that as long as I am seeking Your will, then answers to my prayers will be good, because Your will is good for me. Help me to stay humble, Lord. I want what You want. Please change the desires of my heart, if ever they are not aligned with Your will. Give me new desires, give me the desires of my heart by changing what I want, Lord. Let me find all of my satisfaction in You, in my relationship with You, and not in what You give me or do for me. Help me focus on the eternal, not the temporal. I do want to move to Montana, but let it happen only in accord with Your will. Let every part of my life be subjected to You, my Lord and King, and good Father. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/21/2016; Hosea 12:6

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 24; Psalm 57, 58; 1 Chronicles 8; Matthew 8*

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

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.

SOAP 04/20/2016; Hosea 11:3-4

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 23; Psalm 31, 54; Matthew 7*

S) "³ Yet it is I who taught Ephraim to walk,
I took them in My arms;
But they did not know that I healed them.
⁴ I led them with cords of a man, with bonds of love,
And I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws;
And I bent down and fed them."

Hosea 11:3-4 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Hosea 11

O) In this chapter, we see the grace and love of God at work, while His justice and righteousness are also evident. There is a common misconception that "the Old Testament God" was unmerciful and uncaring, but when Jesus came He somehow "softened" the Father. This is simply unbiblical. More accurately, people failed to recognize God's goodness then, and they continue to have misconceptions change their view of God.

 

A) Failing to recognize miracles in my life, will undoubtedly bring a discontent, ungrateful, calloused heart. I have experienced physical healing, but more importantly, I have experienced emotional and spiritual healing. It is the spiritual healing that lasts, because it is eternal healing, not temporal. God has fed me physically, providing financially for me, even in desperate times. But, it is the spiritual food that I really value. The miracle of His Word by which I live, that is a miracle I must recognize. When I am led by the Holy Spirit, when I feel the tug of the covenant bond that I have in Christ, that is a miracle. When I experience the freedom of exchanging my heavy yoke for the easy yoke of Jesus, that is a miracle. I don't need to seek the miraculous, I just need to recognize the miracles God is already doing, and has already done.

 

P) Father, thank You for taking me in Your arms. Thank You for healing me. Thank You for leading me by the Holy Spirit, with bonds of love. Thank You for lifting my heavy yoke. Thank You for feeding me. Your grace is abundant and Your miracles are frequent. Open my eyes and ears, for me to recognize Your ways, both Your miraculous moves and Your commandments. I want to recognize what You have done for me, and what You are doing for me, because I know that will only increase my affection for You, Lord. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/19/2016; Hosea 9:10

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 22; Psalm 17, 35; Matthew 6*

S) "¹⁰ I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness;
I saw your forefathers as the earliest fruit on the fig tree in its first season.
But they came to Baal-peor and devoted themselves to shame,
And they became as detestable as that which they loved."

Hosea 9:10 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Hosea 9

O) The prophecy of this chapter seems to be mostly against the half-tribe of Ephraim. In fact, much of this book names Ephraim repeatedly. The paragraph before this verse, and after this verse, name Ephraim directly. That tribe (like all of the tribes of Israel) took its name from its forefather (in this case, it was Joseph's son, because Ephraim and Manasseh were half-tribes, both coming from one of the twelve sons of Jacob). When Ephraim was named, he was given the name because it means "fruitfulness" and Joseph said God had made him fruitful in the land of his affliction (see Genesis 41:52). Now, reading the words of Hosea, we see that God used the same name against them, but possibly as a substitute for the entirety of the Israelite nation, though, and not only against this one half-tribe. Remembering that Ephraim means "fruitfulness" puts things in a more poetic, meaningful way. The whole nation was supposed to be fruitful. They were supposed to bear fruit to God. It certainly was not only this half-tribe that betrayed their covenant.

A) While this verse is an obvious warning to Israel, and it reminds me of the dangers of idolatry (even spiritual idolatry that happens in the heart), this verse also reminds me of God's character. This verse highlights God's love for His people, and His heartbreak at their betrayal. When God sees me, what does He have planned for me? What kind of fruit am I supposed to bear, and for what purposes? I want to seek God, to realize those purposes and plans. I want to bear fruit, so that He is glad to cultivate me.

P) Father, You are holy and good. Your plans are perfect, and the vision You have for my life is beyond comparison. I want to find and fulfill Your will for me, Lord. I will never understand all of Your will for me, but let me focus on what I do know. Help me to be a better disciple of Jesus. Help me to be a more godly husband, and dad. Help me to minister to friends and family, as well as strangers. Open my eyes and ears, and lead me in the way I should go. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/18/2016; Hosea 8:12

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 20, 21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5*

S) "¹² Though I wrote for him ten thousand precepts of My law,
They are regarded as a strange thing."

Hosea 8:12 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Hosea 8

O) There is obvious hyperbole in this, but the message is clear. From the start, it was God who initiated relationship with mankind, and told them how to properly relate back to Him. God told Adam and Eve what it would take to stay in the garden. It was God who talked to Noah, instructing him after the flood about eating food without the blood in it, and that murder would be a capital punishment. It was God who spoke to Abraham and made a covenant with Him, giving him instructions about circumcision. It was God who brought Israel out of Egypt, giving the ten commandments to Moses, even writing them on stone by His own finger. Even still, the Israelites had turned, treating the commandments of God as meaningless. Whether they claimed ignorance to the laws, or claimed imagination as their source, or claimed irrelevance to their lives, they didn't think His words should be feared as coming from Him.

A) The last few weeks (and the next few weeks), our church is going through a sermon series on biblical sexuality. The topic of homosexuality has become a hot-button issue, as the culture shifts closer and closer to accepting it fully, and some who claim to be Christians are acquiescing to this cultural shift. Yesterday was about having compassion for people, without compromising the authority of holy Scripture. In his sermon, our pastor said something profound.

"I want to be a follower of Jesus that never compromises God's ways, just so that someone might approve of me. This would be truly homophobic. Listen to me for a minute. We get accused of being homophobic all the time, we Christians. And the world thinks that we are actually afraid of homosexuality, the sin, or afraid of homosexual people. When, just the opposite is true. To hold strongly to the standards and commands of God's way of life, is more of an expression of our fear of God, not our fear of homosexuality." - Steve Walker

At the root of Israel's issue, was their denial of the reality of God's words. They discounted His words and did not fear God. At my core, I need to fearfully regard the words of God as authoritative and infallible.

P) Father, thank You for the grace at work in me, Lord. From the beginning, I have needed You. I was lost in my sins, unable to cope with the chaos in my world. I was broken and hopeless. But, Your grace was there for me, all the time. Then, my sins deceived me, and I regarded Your word as a strange thing. I used Your blessings as a means to sin more. I did not understand what it meant to fear You, the almighty God. But, Your grace persevered in me, and Your faithfulness was manifested to me. Your grace has been at work in me throughout my life. Let me fear You, and respect Your words, seeing Your authority over me as perfectly just, and fully good. Please keep my heart soft, and may I always be found humble in Your presence. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/17/2016; Hosea 6:3

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 19; 1 Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4*

S) "³ So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD.
His going forth is as certain as the dawn;
And He will come to us like the rain,
Like the spring rain watering the earth."

Hosea 6:3 (NASB)

*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Hosea 6

O) There are a few facets to this verse (and the chapter). On the surface, there is a right response to the prophet's words, in that they said they should return to their God. They said they should know Him, even that they should "press on," expressing a level of commitment and determination that is required to really follow God. They confess that God isn't going to change, recognizing His steady and true character. His ways are certain, reliable, and consistent, like the coming dawn. It will continue just as it has, whether we want it to or not. And, they recognize His goodness. With Him, there are blessings and providence. There is refreshing and cleansing, like the spring rain. Unfortunately, the very next verse exposes their insincerity. This was lip service to God.

A) What the people said was indeed all true. The application of this verse is really about adopting these words, only with sincerity. What I really like about this verse, pulled out of the other verses while remembering context, is that I can really pray it pretty directly. The preceding verses talked about returning to God, but I have determined to never leave Him again. This individual verse, though, is a confession of dedication, God's holiness, and His goodness.

P) Father, let me know, let me press on to know You.  Your going forth is as certain as the dawn; and come to me like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth. Knowledge of You takes time, committed to Your word, committed to prayer. Dedicated through famine or feast, rains or drought, I will press on to know You. Throughout all of existence, You have never changed. You continue, in truth, even more consistently than the dawn. Knowing You, having a deep knowledge of You, is a blessing in itself. I also know that there are eternal promises, spiritual blessings, that You have for me, as I become more and more a disciple of Jesus Christ. Let me continue in that discipline, to be Your son. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.