O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit. Hosea 14:8 – For a book like Hosea where there we see God’s people turning so far away from a faithful walk after Him and giving themselves unashamedly to idol worship, reading a chapter like this one where mercy is flowing so richly is such a picture of who our God is. We read about God’s plans to heal, forgive, and restore His people even after they had gone after sinfulness so fully. In verse 8 we get a glimpse of the heart of the individual who had been healed from their backsliding. The idols that once meant the world to them that they gave their lives to worship, mean nothing to them anymore for they have the Lord. The foreign nations and gods of gold that they trusted in for help are no more their source of help for God answers and looks after them now. The fruit they need to survive and to be holy they will acknowledge comes from the Lord and nowhere else. This posture is what the Lord longs from all His people. Where they give up their idols, where they know He will answer and look after them, and where they come to Him alone for the fruit they need in life. How are you doing with that? What idols are still at play in your story? Do we still find ourselves seeking answers and help in other places when God seems to be moving too slow? Are we finding our fill in life in other places than in what the Lord provides? As we step into a new year, let’s evaluate how we are doing with such things for the Lord is inviting us into a fully surrendered life with Him. Idols and the fruit from this world will offer you no good thing, but the Lord offers life. Choose to pursue the Lord. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2953
Question To Ponder: What is a common idol to still find in a believer’s life that is interfering with their walk with God?
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