April 19, 2024
Pastor Darin Youngberg
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Daily Bread June 21, 2017
Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 by Bro_D
Hosea 6:4-6 What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away. (5) Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light. (6) For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
The people of God, the ones who call themselves by His name, the ones singled out as the 10 and 2 tribes by the LORD Himself, they were fickle. The love of Him, their commitment to Him, their desire to follow Him, nothing more than a passing fancy. As long as it seemed good to them, they would love Him, follow Him, commit themselves to Him. But, when something, someone came along that they deemed better – off they went!
What can be better than God? What way can be better than God’s way? There is no God greater than the LORD. There is no other way than His way. Yet, off they go. Off we go! We have God’s Word --- yet, far too many of us say we don’t use His Word, seek His Word, know His word. Too often the words, “I know I should be in the Bible more than I am, but…”. There should not be a “but”. How much it must break the Father’s heart that the people who call themselves by His Name, don’t know His Word. Don’t know His promise, His purpose, His will --- won’t hear His warning – won’t know His direction --- won’t have His instruction. They are like sheep without a shepherd – doomed to die in the wilderness. Nothing about that gives God any pleasure. God is not angry at Ephraim & Judah hear – He is heart broken.
This ol’ world sure has many things to offer. It seems that each new day brings a new offer. New technology, new places to visit, new things to experience – all of which in themselves seem harmless – until they begin to choke out the Word of God (Mk. 4:19). This ol’ world can be a tough place. Every day we hear of a new crime. Every day we hear of wars and rumors of war. Every day it seems is a day that carries tragedy. Most days don’t go by without some sort of painful event. These can be discouraging, even to the point they lead us away from the very Truths of God. If we are not careful, the trials in this world can rob us of joy and peace. That’s why we must be committed to God’s Word. Without His Word routinely written on our hearts, sin will creep in and lead to greater trouble.
The Hebrew word in verse 6 that we read as “steadfast love” is literally “loyalty”. A faithful commitment to the LORD. The term implies an ongoing and ever-increasing commitment to Him. Not a “willie – nillie” walk, but a continuous and deepening walk. Not a walk for awhile, then leaving and then returning later --- a walk that never ends.
Right now, I have a daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter that live in Mississippi and another daughter living in New Jersey. Both a very far away from me. I don’t get my weekly hugs from Madison on Sunday mornings, I don’t get to “bless” Natali with a kiss on the head, I don’t get to hold Harper --- I don’t get to do those things that bring us closer together, those things that make our relationship so much sweeter. AND IT HURTS MY HEART! How much more must the heart of God ache when the people who call themselves by His Name won’t do what they ARE ABLE to do in order to bring them closer to Him?
Get into His Word, you will find Him there. He will speak to you, He will lead you, He will protect you, He will provide for you.