Such a sweet revelation

I love the Bible. I love that when I read the Bible different passages mean different things to me at any given time. I love this book, I love the men (and women) who wrote it and starred in it.

I was reading Hosea tonight, my final stint in the book, and it jarred something sweet. As I read in chapter 14 Hosea calling the Israelites to repentance I couldn't help but weep in seeing myself in this book. "Return, Oh Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall!" Attributed to nothing but our own rebelliousness, the broken nature of the world revealed in the destruction heaped upon a nation at this point. But he doesn't stop there. He urges them to repent, not in fear but in love and rationale. To see the goodness of God and come running. Hosea says take words with you. This is the ultimate statement. He's telling them, He doesn't want your money or your sheep or your cows or your wood or grain offerings! That's not what He is after! You are missing it, take words!! Bring words to the altar...words that show your heart and repentance, for once. It's all you need, cut open your heart and pour yourself out on this altar, calling out for help and he will come. I hear the desperation in Hosea's call to his people and I am overwhelmed with sorrow. Not only for them but for myself.

But there is more, a beautiful word and I am so glad he put it in there because it comforts me. As he talks about never forsaking God again we see God's nature. "For in you the fatherless find compassion." How amazing and wonderful is this God Hosea sees? Not that people should come running to Him in fear of His wrath (although it would be justified) but that they should come running in view of His mercy. He will provide all that they need, just come to him with an authentic heart and desire for Him.

"And oh how lovely, is the King in all His glory. Is the Christ who is holy, who was, and who is? And how amazing, is His love so unfailing. It's His grace that draws us near...It's His grace..."