I guess he woke up one morning, in about 750 BC, with a dense morning fog around him. He knew that once the sun was up and the temperature rose, the mist would disappear. And something made him connect the way the mist disappears with what he observed in the people around him. '“O Israel and Judah, what should I do with you?” asks the Lord.
“For your love vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight.' (Hosea 6.4)
“For your love vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight.' (Hosea 6.4)
What is striking is that he doesn't comment on their religious duties and outward behaviour patterns. Instead, Hosea is looking at the heart of his people, and he notices, as the prophet of God, that their problems come from hearts that don't love God. 'I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.' (Hosea 6.6)
In the next few weeks we will be re-telling the story of Jesus' willing sacrifice of himself, and note the appalling pain and suffering that he endured. As many hymns and songs remind us, our heart's love for God is warmed and deepened (to mix my metaphors) as we take time to recall how much God loves us. As the old apostle, St. John, reminded his circle of followers and disciples, 'God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.' (1 John 4.9-10)
So as we later see the sun, with the morning mist having evaporated, I shall ask the Lord to keep reminding me of His love for me, so that I may love him more deeply and thankfully.
Best wishes,
Richard
No comments:
Post a Comment