Frustrating Arrogance

Text: Hosea 7:8-16 Theme: Our arrogance frustrates and disappoints God Key verses: “Foreignors sap his strength, but he does not realize it. His hair is sprinkled with gray, but he does not notice. Israel’s arrogance testifies against him, but despite all this, he does not turn to the Lord his God or search for him.” (v. 9-10) “Woe to them, because they have strayed from me…because they have rebelled againsty me! I long to redeem them but they speak lies against me.” (v. 13) “I trained them and strengthened them, but they plot evil against me. They do not turn the Most High; they are like a faulty bow. Their leaders will fall by the sword because of their insolent words.” (v. 16) What God said to me: Dwayne, I know you are growing tired of hearing about judgment and negative things everyday. Hosea is a book primarily of judgment. Just think of this: If you grow weary of reading about it for a few days, how do you think I felt watching my people turn away from me for hundreds of years? Endure these devotion times. Sense my frustrations even as you sense your own. If it seems repetitive, so be it. Learn from it, or don’t. Either way, read it and weep – not for me, but for you, for your family, for my people and for the world around you. I will not always strive with man. The end is coming. And I will bring judgment just like I have promised. Like a great craftsmen shapes a bow, I have shaped you. If you cannot hit the mark, I will consider you as faulty and at fault. You have been created for a specific purpose – to glorify me. See you to it. What I said to God: Lord, praise You for speaking to me this morning. I admit I am struggling with this constant, seemingly redundant theme of judgment. But if you don’t think it’s overstated, who am I to question? Forgive me. I will continue to search these passages to gain your heart about sin and selfishness. Help me be frustrated as well – not with people but with our constant sin and rebellion. Protect my family today. I commit this day to you. I love you!