Mountains to move, Or Cross Over?

1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.2 But…They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.3 It was I who taught Ephraim (Israel) to walk, taking them atby the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. 4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek…”

Hosea beautifully describes the love of the Father for His people Israel. The power of love is a major theme in Hosea as we hear the passion in His voice. It is the voice that called his children and taught them to walk, healed them and led with kindness and love, lifting and kissing them tenderly.

 What words would you use to describe Gods love?

I said: Never ending, enduring, extravagant, filling and fulfilling every empty place and hungry heart; all consuming, He envelops and consumes me. He is sensitive and responsive, receiving from me when I offer my genuine worship and reciprocating with more Love. And He is so compelling in His magnificent that obedience to His desires is a joy and a privilege. Above all Love is forgiving! He is choosing to see me through the eyes of His Son, and removing every stain daily from me.

AND YET while I was away trying to escape the cold midwest winter, I asked three questions of my God one night at 3 am, as I lie awake in pain:

• Do You even know me or even care that I suffer? In that pain I did pray that God be glorified and asked for His strength to endure. In fact I felt encouraged to ask the Father to give me strength to endure many things for Him. Then I waited on him and he did heal me again. I had gained a day of peace and rest.
• I asked the Lord, what IS it about this time and place, the family, the wind and weather, food and drink, that all seems so wrong., so foreign to me? There is so much wealth and opulence; people, wanting and then wanting more. I sensed this answer:
  • It is like Ancient Rome, Egypt, and it is a Kingdom that grows still today. Built on wealth, power, control, and on Manmade, sinking sands.
  • My Kingdom is Judah, my beauty is simplicity and grows In the midst of my natural wealth. It is grown by the Father in His own land and green and verdant lands like it.
• How do I live and stay well here or anywhere? I feel like my body is failing and my heart is breaking apart, over many things, people and painful truths.

Father reminds me we live in the broken world where friendships fail and children get sick or even die from diseases, new and old and suffer the ancient curse. And Yet…

His reassuring whisper speaks: You are not alone- I am here, I am always with you- always near, I will never fail to be at your side, My love, all consuming, I never hide My face unveils for you, My hand touches you, whom I know, Put on my yoke, a light burden. I your shepherd first, in the darkening night go ,Cup your ears in the stillness and hear my voice, Sweet music above the noise It is His love that calls us out of the winter and into the Son again and again.