Beauty in the Return

I've been reading and thinking a lot lately about Israel. How frustrating it is that they repeatedly turn away from God; they repeatedly return to idols; they repeatedly sucumb to sin. Yet, the Lord repeatedly forgives His people and repeatedly gives them another chance.

I get so angry with Israel because they never learn their lesson. I wonder why the Lord put up with their betrayal. Yes, He got angry. Yes, He punished them. But, He had the power to destroy them and He didn't.

Why?!?

Just as much as God is a jealous God, He is a merciful God. His love sometimes allows us to fall so that we call on Him to pick us up.

"I will depart and return to My place until they recognize their guilt and seek My face they will search for Me in their distress." Hosea 5:15

When Israel fails, then they would cry out to God. Over and over again. And over and over again God rescues them. Take a look at Psalm 107 as Israel repeatedly falls. In verses 6, 13, 19, AND 28, "they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He rescued them from their distress." When they called upon the Lord, He delivered them from the problem.

The failing spirits of the people were ugly. Captivity and darkness were ugly. Afflictions were ugly. The storms were ugly. The wickedness in the people was definitely ugly.

But it all leads to the return.

"But you must return to your God. Maintain love and justice, and always put your hope in God."

Hosea 12:6

The RETURN is beautiful.

 

In the return there is hope. In the return the sovereignty and power of God cannot be denied. In the return we praise Him for His "faithful love and wonderful works." (Also stated in Psalm 107 following each of the above verses.)

If Israel failed so many times, yet the Lord loved them enough to deliver them, He can do the same for me as I fail repeatedly.

For me, there is no denying that the stories of Israel are a reflection of ME. And there is beauty in the return.

"No matter what you’ve done, no matter how off-key you’ve been, no matter how much your tune has had you squirming in your seat, it’s never too late in the song to return to Him."

Spiritual Journey (9)

Continued from Spiritual Journey (8)

Just before leaving for Haiti I experienced a heart of thankfulness that was refreshing. I attempted to pray for my ongoing requests and for important people in my life, but the Holy Spirit said 'no.' All I needed to do was praise God for who He is and all the things He was doing in my life at the time.

"Those who look to Him are radiant with joy' their faces will never be ashamed." Psalm 34:5

As a Christian, there is nothing that compares to being in the Lord's presence full of radiant joy.


Journal entry: 5/1/13

It's been such a busy day. I'm so excited that I have a hard time staying focused. But yet a lot to get done.

First of all, praise God I was actually able to sleep last night. I even overslept this morning. That usually doesn't happen.

What I found most interesting was during prayer this morning all I could do was praise God. I praise Him for the opportunity to go to Haiti. I thank Him for what He's done in my life already and what He's going to do. He's protected me and provided for me. I even thanked Him for the gift of singleness. Definitely never thought I'd be there.

Interestingly, yesterday I had fasted. I've been doing that once a week for the last month in preparation of going to Haiti. And I believe that's where my heart of thanks came from today. Even when I'd start praying for my normal requests I couldn't.  

This moment was a pure happy moment between God and I.

Spiritual Journey (8)

Continued from Spiritual Journey (7)

I'm not big on compliments but every one needs a little encouragement.

These words of encouragement came to me in a time that I was feeling completely inadequate. The message was random; this person had no idea that I needed it. Therefore, I have no doubt God wanted to remind me that I just need to do my best, and He can do the rest.


Journal entry: 4/28/13

I don't deserve them. I don't take compliments well. They make me very uncomfortable. But there are some words from people that are encouraging to me.

My passion and drive in life is to love people. My hope is that others see Christ through my acts of love. So when someone thanks me for my faith it makes me smile.

I received a text tonight from a former coworker that said, "Your faith made me a better person for knowing you and I just wanted to share that with you." God has always used other people to send me messages and especially since this message was so random there is no doubt where it came from.

This comes at a time that I'm struggling with the idea that some may think I'm weak. Satan has made me feel guilty for things I did or didn't do, or things I did or didn't say. I've been praying that God use even the difficult circumstances for His glory.

Compliments are nice but don't always carry a lot of weight. Encouragement, however, is good for the heart. I want to do a better job of encouraging others.