Recently, I visited a cousin of mine from my father's side, a priest, who from a young age felt the calling of God upon his life and accepted it. I think he could have been anything he wanted to be - he could have excelled in any profession - he has the intelligence, the look, the charisma, to put it succinctly, a total package for success. But, he chose to be a priest.
In the last few years, he has been beset by all kinds of physical ailments, complications resulting from diabetes. He had a major heart attack, requiring bypass surgery. While dealing with it, his kidneys failed, requiring him to have dialysis regularly. But, I have never heard him complain. Every time I have seen him, I have not seen him worried. He speaks of God's grace in his life and how God continues to lead him in all difficulties. He is still an active servant of God despite his ailments. As a little boy, I looked up to this older cousin of mine and admired him.
Getting back, I had not been feeling well myself for the past few weeks, my blood glucose levels have been high. Fear had crept in as I started feeling and seeing some of the side effects of diabetes. After praying to God about my fears and worries, I read the book of Daniel, chapter 3. The chapter talks about the trials and courageous actions of three young men - Shadrach, Mesach, and Abednego - in the face of death. As I had time on my hand I started reading the Book of Hosea. I couldn't help but notice the unquestioning obedience of Hosea to God, no matter what the personal cost. God used Hosea and his family as a canvas or medium to send his messages to his disobedient people of Israel.
God told Hosea to marry a prostitute to send a message to Israel that they were like that prostitute, untrue to their God. The Bible says, When the LORD first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, "Go and marry a prostitute, so some of her children will be born to you from other men. This will illustrate the way my people have been untrue to me, openly committing adultery against the LORD by worshipping other gods." (Hosea 1:2) Hosea, unquestioningly married a prostitute - Gomer. [ I asked myself, would I have accepted God's conditions and sacrificed my pride, malign my family name and take on public ridicule to obey God?].
Then God asked Hosea to name his first born - a son, "Jezreel," a name that would signify the great slaughter that God was going bring on the house of Jehu because of the violent acts Jehu had committed (2 Kings 9). Hosea unquestioningly obeyed again. Following this, a daughter was born to Gomer and Hosea. God asked Hosea to name that child, "Loruhamah," meaning "Not loved," for God wanted to send the message to the people of Israel that He will no longer show them His love nor forgive them for their sinful ways. Again, Hosea unquestioningly obeyed. After Loruhamah was weaned, Gomer gave birth to a third child - another son. God asked Hosea to name that child "Lo-ammi," meaning "Not my people" for God wanted to send the message to Israel that they were not his people. Time and again, Hosea unquestioningly obeyed God's each and every instruction no matter what the personal cost.
I am a father of two, a daughter and a son. They are precious and I love them dearly. Would I in Hosea's position name my children names that will hold them up for public ridicule, shame and pain, naming them names that have no tenderness, care, nor reflects a father's love, pride and joy! My children would probably grow up hating me for the rest of their lives. I had to ask myself, if I would be obedient to God if there was a personal cost!
Finally, in Hosea's life, his wife, who had been unfaithful to him, left him for other men. God asked him to forgive her, bring her back to his house and love her, as a symbol of what God was going to do for Israel. We read in Hosea 2:1-2 (NLT), " Then the LORD said to me, "Go and get your wife again. Bring her back to you and love her, even though she loves adultery. For the LORD still loves Israel even though the people have turned to other gods, offering them choice gifts." Hosea unquestioningly obeyed. He even had to pay the man who had her for her freedom.
Would I forgive the one who betrays my love and trust? Would I love my God regardless of whether my prayers are answered or not?
The Holy Spirit started ministering to me from the books of Hosea and Daniel. As I continued praying, the question that was posed in my mind was, "What have you sacrificed for me? I have given you all that I am." David says in Psalms 23:4 (NLT), "Even when I walk through the darkest valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me." I realized that this verse will become meaningful to us only when we have lived out the darkest moments of our lives and see God's sustaining hand. My cousin, the priest, he continues to be an inspiration! It's amazing how God's Holy Spirit orchestrates events in our lives to answer our questions and calm our fears.
Isaiah writes, O Israel [children of God], how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint... (Isaiah 40:27-31)
May the good LORD give us his grace to grow in Faith!
PS: (click here for the blog on Daniel chapter 3 - If you believe you will see God's glory!).
Everlasting God - Chris Tomlin
making of the Everlasting God...
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