Thoughts for another day

March 31, 2010

Today's verse: Hos. 11:4. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them. (NRSV – copyright acknowledged)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Here’s an imagery of God that’s so endearing that if one sees it, one would have tears in his eyes because of the wonder of Who our God is. I’ve always looked at Jesus’ face on the cross and seen the pain on His face and gauged the intensity of His sacrifice for us. He knew the pain of the ordeal He was to endure which is why He pleaded with His Father to take the cup away, yet He went ahead because He so loved you and me.

Our scripture today has a similar picture of God our Father who is so gracious and beautiful. You know, we’ve given enough reason for Him to destroy us. Yet He loves us. Our Scripture talks of a time when Israel was in exile. They, who considered themselves invincible because of their belief that God was with them were grievously wounded. They felt they could do anything and get away with it as they believed that God would not forsake them. Yet, He warned them time and again to change their ways, but they didn’t. They went from one stage of sin to the next, even more abominable in His sight; and God brought about all the calamity He had warned them of.

In our Scripture God speaks of His love for His people and what He did for them. He was so kind, so merciful, so gracious, so loving; much like a mother to them. He showered His love yet they didn’t listen. There obviously is anguish in His heart as He speaks out; and deep within God is suffering for our sakes because He had to wield the whip. In His Words, one can see His infinite love and realise that no matter how far we’ve gone, He will always be around, waiting for our call for help.