There have been lots of verses that have been special to me over the years. Some meant a great deal during a hard time. Some are just good to think about any time. But, I have a favorite verse that has colored my whole Christian life.
Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth. Hosea 6:3 (ESV)
Whenever I look at a verse I look at the context around it – it helps to understand it. The people making this wonderful statement were in the midst of punishment from God. They wanted all the promises of God and the stuff of the society around them, too. They counted on His blessing even though they were doing terrible things. They didn’t see how the way they lived had anything to do with their relationship with God.
The Book of Hosea has some of the most beautiful pictures of God’s love for His people. But those words of love never just float around loose. They are tied to a relationship. God has always been very open about what He expects from His people. All through the Book of Hosea, God didn’t stop loving His people, but He didn’t bless them. He couldn’t.
Just like them, I can choose not to see what He requires of me. I can choose to misinterpret it so I can do what I want to do. But, if I’m honest with myself, what God requires of me isn’t really hidden at all. And, if I want to be where His blessing is, I can’t just count on the promises. A relationship is never healthy if it’s only words – I need to live my whole life with Him. Believing that His blessing is better than any short-term happiness I could devise for myself.
So, want to join me? Let’s press on to know the Lord. To follow Him. To trust Him. Because He is as sure as the dawn. He refreshes like the showers, the spring rains that water the earth.