GOD IS NO STOIC

How can I give you up, O Ephraim?  How can I surrender you, O Israel?  My heart is tuned over within Me, all my compassions are kindled.  Hosea 11:8

    Though judgment is on the horizon for God’s people, God’s sympathy for them is so stirred that this proclamation of love and heartbreak is expressed.  “I see what’s coming to you because of your sin.  I see how you have led yourselves into captivity.  But oh, how I can’t stand the thought of seeing you in the kind of distress that is coming your way.”

    Does this kind of sentiment surprise you?  Unfortunately for many, the answer is yes.  Instead, we think God is quick to punish and takes some kind of sick delight in bringing about judgment for sin.  It’s revolutionary to think of a God in heaven whose heart is turned over in His chest when He sees the impending disaster we often bring upon ourselves.  His compassion is engaged.  He is no stoic, suffering in silence either.  He is generous with His heart, with His words, and leaves no doubt in our minds about how He feels.  I imagine that in writing these very words, He hoped the embers of repentance would be stirred.

    Why take up a day’s devotional to write about this?  I want to declare His glory, to make known the excellence of His character.  I don’t serve a God who is vindictive, but merciful.  He restrains His hand of judgment as long as possible because He has a heart that longs to bless, not discipline.  He gives so many chances for repentance and aches to think of the consequences when I don’t, or won’t, turn away from evil and embrace righteousness.

    God is my hiding place today.  I will be in the company of many different people over these next hours.  I am unsure of how certain encounters will go.  My spirit has a home, in the midst of whatever awaits.  I nestle in under the wings of a God whose heart for me remains steadfast, even if I bend toward disobedience.  The coals of His love never grow cold no matter what I do.  Indifference will never mar the heart of my Father.  Knowing that, I enjoy a security no one on earth can offer me.

You are moved by me and everything that concerns me.  Knowing that, I run to You with everything.  I pledge my loyalty to You in all of life’s choices today.  Amen