”They go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord but do not find him; he has withdrawn from them. …
For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. Yes, I will tear them to pieces and depart. I will carry them off, and no one can rescue them. I will depart and return to my place until they recognize their guilt and seek my face; they will search for me in their distress.“
Hosea 5:6, 14-15 CSB
https://bible.com/bible/1713/hos.5.CSB
This is a hard passage to read because Israel is living “according to what is right in their own eyes”. In other words, rejecting Gods way, and doing whatever they want. Even in how they try to worship, they reject Gods clear instruction and try their own way…it doesn’t work.
Then the surprising part, God is the one to inflict suffering as a consequence of their own choices. I want to feel like this is unloving or unfair! But, He finally reveals His end game: He is giving them consequences so that they will wake up and return to the blessings of knowing Him.
Lord, help me to wake up without needing to experience pain and suffering…
Help me to seek you and experience joy, peace, comfort, love and acceptance. Show me where I am going my own way, before it leads to destruction. I need your help because ‘my way’ always seems right, so give me wisdom and counselors to point me in the right direction. I need you Lord!
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