Covenant Keeper
Greetings in the Lord!
Hosea 6-8 talk more about the prevalent incorrect mindset of Ephraim (those who know God but deny His will and word in their lives and chase after worldly things instead), and cites a few trends we as Christians need to pray specifically about for this country. First, we read in chapter 6 an overall insincere acknowledgement of the reasons why Ephraim is suffering judgment from God--they act like, "God is good; He'll get us out of this mess in no time because we are His children. Surely our hard times will go away because God loves us." But the Lord says, "Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears...For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hos.6:4b,6. Those verses are pointing out that talk is cheap and obligation is not faithfulness. The Lord desires a people who love and trust Him, not do the religious hokey-poky one day a week and live however they want the rest of the time. It is also addressing all those used-to-go-to-church types who now think they are "good people" by their own standards but really deny Jesus as Savior because they are well fed, "educated," and have a good job.
The verses continue with some strong indictments of lawlessness and idolatry of the people, even specifically including priests in criminal activity; in fact, one would think that these Israelites were terribly wicked and live just as the "heathens" of that time did. Yep, that's the point. It goes on to say in 6:11-7:2 that even though God has healed and restored them in the past, they only continued in their ways, not repenting of anything or changing their mindset at all.
Next, Chapter 7 shifts gears a bit and focuses more about our government and other ruling officials to cite these areas of concern:
1) There is an overwhelming "self-interest" agenda where betrayal and deceit are normal means of conducting business. I discern that more than ever there is a climate of shady deals and hidden alliances happening to further one's career. While you may be saying, "That's always the case in politics," I discern that it is crucial for Christians to pray for godly leadership and holy influence in government like never before because there is an intense battle for the hearts of our leadership now. It is hard for Americans to understand that people like Hitler and Stalin just did not come on the scene, but rather they rode a wave of wickedness that caused many hearts to be swept away in the glorious deceit of the moment.
2) Unholy alliances. Chapter 7 also points out that "Israel mixes with the nations;...Foreigners sap his strength, but he does not realize it...Israel is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless--now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria." Our government is being tempted to compromise and rely upon nations that do not have the will of God in mind. Quite the contrary, they seek to destabilize and overtake us, especially economically and politically and the Lord will allow our enemies to do just that if we are in agreement with them. That is why it is all the more important to pray for godly leadership at this time and to let "In God We Trust" be our sincere motto, in politics as well as on Sunday morning.
Chapter 8 summarizes our current political, spiritual, and economic situation and calls out a warning: "Put the trumpet to your lips! An eagle (this literally translates to "vulture") is over the house of the Lord because the people have broken My covenant and rebelled against My law. Israel cries out to Me, 'O our God, we acknowledge You!' But Israel has rejected what is good; an enemy will pursue him. They set up kings without My consent; they choose princes without My approval...They saw the wind and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no head; it will produce no flour. Were it to yield grain, foreigners would swallow it up. Israel is swallowed up; now she is among the nations like a worthless thing. For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey wandering alone. Ephraim has sold herself to lovers....But I will send fire upon their cities that will consume their fortresses." Hosea 8:1-4, 7-9, 14b.
Well, saints, this and other prophetic words like it are declaring a time of judgement for America is at hand. Should we reject these words as the Israelites of Jeremiah's day did? Should we say, "Stop saying this, it is not 'love' or Christian-like to say such things!" Should we throw up our hands and forget it all only to have to deal with it another day? No, it is a call to repent, pray and draw near to our Lord. He is merciful and good; the Lord loves and cares about the lives of His glorious ones in the land. Let humility, generosity, love for others and trust in God develop in you during these times as He has a good plan for us. A plan to prosper us and bless us as we turn to Him. Our God is looking and searching for covenant keepers in this land of covenant unfaithfulness. Let God see your faithfulness and works--let's be covenant keepers for His namesake, Amen.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
Hosea 6-8 talk more about the prevalent incorrect mindset of Ephraim (those who know God but deny His will and word in their lives and chase after worldly things instead), and cites a few trends we as Christians need to pray specifically about for this country. First, we read in chapter 6 an overall insincere acknowledgement of the reasons why Ephraim is suffering judgment from God--they act like, "God is good; He'll get us out of this mess in no time because we are His children. Surely our hard times will go away because God loves us." But the Lord says, "Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears...For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hos.6:4b,6. Those verses are pointing out that talk is cheap and obligation is not faithfulness. The Lord desires a people who love and trust Him, not do the religious hokey-poky one day a week and live however they want the rest of the time. It is also addressing all those used-to-go-to-church types who now think they are "good people" by their own standards but really deny Jesus as Savior because they are well fed, "educated," and have a good job.
The verses continue with some strong indictments of lawlessness and idolatry of the people, even specifically including priests in criminal activity; in fact, one would think that these Israelites were terribly wicked and live just as the "heathens" of that time did. Yep, that's the point. It goes on to say in 6:11-7:2 that even though God has healed and restored them in the past, they only continued in their ways, not repenting of anything or changing their mindset at all.
Next, Chapter 7 shifts gears a bit and focuses more about our government and other ruling officials to cite these areas of concern:
1) There is an overwhelming "self-interest" agenda where betrayal and deceit are normal means of conducting business. I discern that more than ever there is a climate of shady deals and hidden alliances happening to further one's career. While you may be saying, "That's always the case in politics," I discern that it is crucial for Christians to pray for godly leadership and holy influence in government like never before because there is an intense battle for the hearts of our leadership now. It is hard for Americans to understand that people like Hitler and Stalin just did not come on the scene, but rather they rode a wave of wickedness that caused many hearts to be swept away in the glorious deceit of the moment.
2) Unholy alliances. Chapter 7 also points out that "Israel mixes with the nations;...Foreigners sap his strength, but he does not realize it...Israel is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless--now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria." Our government is being tempted to compromise and rely upon nations that do not have the will of God in mind. Quite the contrary, they seek to destabilize and overtake us, especially economically and politically and the Lord will allow our enemies to do just that if we are in agreement with them. That is why it is all the more important to pray for godly leadership at this time and to let "In God We Trust" be our sincere motto, in politics as well as on Sunday morning.
Chapter 8 summarizes our current political, spiritual, and economic situation and calls out a warning: "Put the trumpet to your lips! An eagle (this literally translates to "vulture") is over the house of the Lord because the people have broken My covenant and rebelled against My law. Israel cries out to Me, 'O our God, we acknowledge You!' But Israel has rejected what is good; an enemy will pursue him. They set up kings without My consent; they choose princes without My approval...They saw the wind and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no head; it will produce no flour. Were it to yield grain, foreigners would swallow it up. Israel is swallowed up; now she is among the nations like a worthless thing. For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey wandering alone. Ephraim has sold herself to lovers....But I will send fire upon their cities that will consume their fortresses." Hosea 8:1-4, 7-9, 14b.
Well, saints, this and other prophetic words like it are declaring a time of judgement for America is at hand. Should we reject these words as the Israelites of Jeremiah's day did? Should we say, "Stop saying this, it is not 'love' or Christian-like to say such things!" Should we throw up our hands and forget it all only to have to deal with it another day? No, it is a call to repent, pray and draw near to our Lord. He is merciful and good; the Lord loves and cares about the lives of His glorious ones in the land. Let humility, generosity, love for others and trust in God develop in you during these times as He has a good plan for us. A plan to prosper us and bless us as we turn to Him. Our God is looking and searching for covenant keepers in this land of covenant unfaithfulness. Let God see your faithfulness and works--let's be covenant keepers for His namesake, Amen.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
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