Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel; there they have continued. Shall not war overtake them in Gibeah? I will come against the wayward people to punish them; and nations shall be gathered against them when they are punished for their double iniquity. Ephraim was a trained heifer that loved to thresh, and I spared her fair neck; but I will make Ephraim break the ground; Judah must plow; Jacob must harrow for himself. Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped injustice, you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your power and in the multitude of your warriors, therefore the tumult of war shall rise against your people, and all your fortresses shall be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel on the day of battle when mothers were dashed in pieces with their children. Thus it shall be done to you, O Bethel, because of your great wickedness. At dawn the king of Israel shall be utterly cut off. (Hosea 10:9-15, NRSV)
What is it about our power to make our lives what we want that we put so much trust in?
It is kind of like riding shotgun after you have been driving for a while…
Have you ever grabbed for a handle above the window that wasn’t there?
Have you ever applied the brake, when there was no pedal?
We cringe and make faces and try to maneuver the car, but we can’t. We have to trust in the one behind the wheel.
Hosea tells Israel because they trusted in their own power and their own armies, they will have war and not peace. If we trust in our own power and or own armies we will have war and not peace.
So let God drive and trust that He will bring you peace, even in the wildest of rides!
aSacredRebel 