Time to Seek the Lord

Text: Hosea 10 Theme: We have plenty of reasons to seek after God. Key verses: “Their heart is deceitful, and now they must bear their guilt. The Lord will demolish their altars…” (v. 2) “They make many promises, take false oaths…” (v. 4) “The people…fear for the calf-idol…” (v. 5) “Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols.” (v. 6) “The high places of wickedness will be destroyed – it is the sin of Israel…Then they will say to the mountains, ‘Cover us!’ and to the hills, ‘Fall on us!'” (v. 8 ) “Since the days of Gibeah, you have sinned, O Israel, and there you have remained.” (v. 9) “When I please, I will punish them.” (v. 10) “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.” (v. 12) What God said to me: Dwayne, you must concentrate. I would have said this to you yesterday, but you were too distracted to make time to seek me and listen. What you did actually capsulates what Israel did for months and years at a time. And the more they turned to other activities other than listening to me, the more corrupt they became. Look at some of the reasons they should have sought me: 1. They had wicked hearts. 2. Their guilt was upon them. 3. I demolished all they had put their trust in.  4. They became liars and oath-breakers, which caused them distress with their neighbors. 5. Their infatuation with idols brought them fear and mourning. 6. They became so desparate they cried out for death. 7. They remained in their cess-pool of sin despite impending judgement. What I said to God: Lord and Savior, mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, I praise You today. I adore You and fall at Your feet in repentance and surrender. Forgive me for not making appropriate time yesterday to listen to You. I became impatient. When I didn’t hear quickly from You, I vacated and went on with my day. I see now I should have stayed and waited patiently in Your presence until I was sure You were done with me. Thank You for reminding me of the many reasons we all have to seek You. The ball is in our court to break up our unplowed, hardened ground and plant seeds of righteousness. We yield our lives to You today in humility and thanksgiving.