Ever notice how we always wait till we run out of strength, resources, options, or ideas to turn to God?
He noticed this tendency in His people and addressed it saying:
“Then I’ll go back to where I came from until they come to their senses. When they finally hit rock bottom, maybe they’ll come looking for me.”
(Hosea 5:15, The Message).
He cracks our human nature wide open . Written so long ago, while God’s chosen people were resisting Him and here we are, still the very same way.
And so He waits.
These words reveal God’s heart. He constantly pursues us, trying to guide and love His children (us) to a place of healing. In the book of Hosea, the people had suffered wounding at the hands of their enemies. Rather than turning to God, they sought the help of nations around them who, in actuality, were not able to help them at all. In love, God withdrew from trying to warn them and instead waited for them to return to His love.
There are times in our lives that God leaves us in our difficulty to struggle. Why? So that our hearts might soften to Him and to the very idea of relationship with Him. He lets us endure a season of hardship, all the while extending His grace and mercy to us, so that we would realize our need for Him and Him only.
He longs for us to come to our senses,
and return to Him.
And so He waits.
This is an edited post from 2011.
Today I am joining … Thought Provoking Thursday and Grace Moments .
Well stated Joanne! Even though it took quite awhile for me to come to my senses, I am thankful for the Lord’s patience as he pursued me. If I had only known such a rewarding life awaited as I seek to live for Him instead of myself. I thank Him every day for His grace, mercy, and unconditional love! Thank you for sharing this poignant reminder of the marvelous Savior we serve. Have fabulous weekend and God bless you and yours!
Horace, it is good for us to remember His patience with us every now and then. It fills our hearts with deep gratitude for God’s grace and mercy upon us. Thank you for being here and encouraging!
Joanne- I’m so glad He waits for me. I have multiple times made Him wait a long time.
What would we do without mercy and grace?
Beautiful post!
Julie
Julie, I have asked myself the very same questions more times than I want to admit. So grateful for His patience!
I am so glad you shared these words again today, Joanne. How amazing is it that the God of this universe pursues us so passionately!
Thank you, Lyli. It was one of my oldest posts and received quite a bit of “editing”. The fact that God continually pursues me will never cease to amaze me.