2023_04_05 Insight Post- Rusty Coram
This week’s reading- Psalm 136, Hosea 11
It is easy to say, “I will do anything God asks me to do.” We know God’s purposes and plans are always good, but we need to remember that not everything He assigns us is easy. In fact, there are times when His work for us will be challenging and tough. Hosea is a great example of this, and while his situation is somewhat extreme, it does remind us that God’s purposes are always good and right. Hosea was a preacher/prophet to Israel, “When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.” Hosea 1:2 (NLT)
Wow! God tells Hosea that he is going to be a living object lesson to all of Israel through his difficult and heartbreaking marriage to Gomer. As we see through the book by his name, Hosea’s real life is a graphic illustration of Israel’s unfaithfulness; there are serious implications of judgment to the nation but also the hope of restoration if they repent. Hosea accepted the assignment. He suffered the pain, indignity, and humiliation that came with Gomer’s infidelity. As he did, he gained a deepened appreciation and respect for what God went through as Israel repeatedly committed adultery by committing their allegiance to other gods and nations.
We don’t hear much about how difficult and heart-wrenching it was for Hosea. The nights he wondered where his wife was, who she was with, and what she was doing. His was not a marriage of joy, peace, and tranquility. Yet, in the midst of a horrible mess like that, God promises that to anyone who humbly trusts Him, God will give them peace, strength, and hope. His promises are not based on circumstances but on His character and ability.
Hosea’s assignment is not the norm but one that was needed to gain the nation’s attention. God’s promises are available for all of us, no matter what we face.
Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor