Tough Love Is Still Love

Greetings in the Lord!

Yesterday's and today's word comes from Jeremiah 44 and Hosea 11. It is a reminder to us that it is best to return to God instead of running away to avoid discipline or correction; even if the Lord just wants to "fine tune" your theology or how you relate to Him---be open to the move of the Lord in your life!
Jeremiah 44:12 "I will take away the remnant of Judah who were determined to go to Egypt to settle there...14) None of the remnant of Judah who have gone to live in Egypt will escape or survive to return to the land of Judah, to which they long to return and live..."
Hosea 11:3-5 "It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them. Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they will not repent?" V. 8) "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?...My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused...V.10-11) They will follow the Lord; He will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west. They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from Assyria. I will settle them in their homes," declares the Lord.

So what is all that saying to us? It is saying that God wants to correct us; to trim off the rough edges and cut away heart conditions and personal theologies that make us prone to following the ways of the world and ourselves instead of His commands. The word is also saying that many of us are resisting His purifying process by trying to run back to familiar, and more self-gratifying ways of relating to God. Oh, how we love prosperity, comfort, advancement, and 'feel-good' teachings! But the Lord will not let us return to "Egypt" to be "ruled by Assyria" No, now is the time to confess to the Lord and be purified by His consuming fire. The Lord will "roar" in your life, and we will come rushing back to Him! He will have His way and settle us again in His arms.

Praise God for His goodness and everlasting love...even His "tough love!"

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