A Door of Hope

Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her.Hosea 2:14

I'm not feeling so great today and was not planning on on doing a post. I thought however I'd just see what today's quote was, and oh my, was I ever tagged by the Lord!

The first thought that came to my mind as I read this powerful scripture was a quote by C.S. Lewis, that I'm sure most of us have experienced in our lives. He wrote,

"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts to us in our pain..."

There is no greater love story in history then that of Hosea and his adulterous bride Gomer. It was an allegory to show how much God loved Israel, and that she was the apple of His eye. His love knew no bounds, and he continually reached out for her even when she was unfaithful to Him.

I can't read this story without feeling the immense love of God, and a heartfelt gratitude that can not be written in mere words. How many times have I run away and disobeyed Him, yet His love

would not let me go...

.
I'm so blessed that God cares enough to draw me away from this world, and get my attention fully on Him. Just like a stubborn, strong-willed kid, I need God's loving discipline for correction and direction in my life. David wrote in PS. 94:12,”Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law..."

In Hebrews 12:15-16 it says, "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

I love how this passage in Hosea continues with a beautiful promise from God when He said in verse 15,

“ There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.”

Yes, this is what follows after God lures us away by His love. It is true that He will speak to us, correct and discipline us, but in the end He will reward us with blessings and hope.

For 400 years there was a dark silence. The prophet Malachi wrote the last words between God and Israel and books were closed. But then the silence broke on that glorious day when the angels heralded the birth of the Lord Jesus. There was an announcement that a new door of HOPE would be opened to the whole world. Jesus confirmed He was the fulfillment of the promise made in Hosea when he declared, “I AM THE DOOR!”

God is ready to break the silence in your life. If you are in a season of being lured away, don't resist. God is always calling us to come closer. He has something wonderful to give us if we will only yield to His call, and not resist His loving discipline. Just listen for His tender voice speaking to you in your desert, and surrender your whole heart to Him today.

Join us over at Titus 2 Women today!