“But the more I called to him, the farther he moved from me…”
Hosea 11:2a
I heard the voice before I saw what was happening. “James! Wait for Mommy!” I looked up and saw a small child running quickly toward the breaking waves with his Mommy in close pursuit. I tensed as I realized the danger of the situation and watched helplessly as the child neared the water’s edge. Just before his feet left the dry sand, he stopped, turned around, and smiled.
Wow! That was close. Obviously the child was drawn by the lapping waves, the sound of the water rushing to shore and the fascination of the unknown. What he didn’t know, was the danger. Mommy kept calling his name, but he kept right on running. I’ve done that. I’ve heard my Father calling to me only to pretend I didn’t know He was talking to me. And I kept running to the lure of the world.
Israel did that as we read in Hosea. “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. But the more I called to him, the farther he moved from me, offering sacrifices to the images of Baal and burning incense to idols. I myself taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he doesn’t know or even care, that it was I who took care of him.” Hosea 11:1-3
God delivered Israel out of the hands of the Egyptians, supplied all their needs, provided safety and promised a better life. But the people kept turning back to their idols. America is doing that right now. God chose to offer His free salvation to us and many have accepted this freedom. We have left our bondage to “the Egyptians” and have received a promise of a better life. And even though we rest in our salvation, we keep turning back to the idols of this world. Instead of allowing God to provide for us, we work ourselves to death to earn a better living than Tom, Dick and Harry. We must wear the latest styles, spend hours on the most expensive cell phones and take bank-crushing vacations. God promised to supply all our needs? Why do we forsake Him when He calls us into the safety of His Arms?
I have known for a long time that if I walk close to God, He will give me the desires of my heart. And I trust in that promise. Why? Because if I am walking with God, I will know in my heart what He wants me to have and that will be my desire. Frustration sets in when I walk with God, but tune out His Voice in my spirit. Danger is in front of me when I run into the worldly lusts in front of me.
The child stopped just short of running into the water. Then, the Mommy picked him up and carried him just far enough in to let him feel the water playing with his toes; she let him bounce in her arms as the waves crashed around them. God wants us to have fun, but He wants to protect us from the dangers of the world. So…when He calls me, I want to listen.
Heart Notes of Life 