Have you ever felt in your life that there was a point of no return? Well, that’s a lie, unless the window of time has been shut out. There is always a time or a season we can return. We can turn back and turn towards healing and restoration. Only when this window of time has been shut out, blinds closed and shades locked, are we entering into a point of no return.
Hosea is prophesying to Israel saying, “Return O Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall!” (Hosea 14: 1)
He is urging them to repent, “Say to Him: Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.” (Hosea 14: 2)
Our lips, our words, of true repentance would be sufficient.
What happens when we return to God? “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.” (Hosea 14: 4) He goes on to say, “I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me.” (Hosea 14: 8)
Green pine trees are everywhere in our yard. My husband planted many throughout the years. Some are still standing, some had to go. I must confess they were never my favorite type of tree, only at Christmas time. But now, I see the beauty in the evergreen within this scripture verse. Some translations say green cypress tree.
The beauty of the trees in scripture is a place where birds nest, fruit grows, and the blessing of God comes. Hosea is reminding them that God is the source of them receiving the protection like shade from a tree. He is the source of their blessing, not any idol.
I see the beauty in things I have taken for granted. “The ways of the Lord are right…” (Hosea 14: 9b) We have a choice. Are we walking or stumbling in the ways of God? Are we choosing obedience or living in rebellion? Return!
(Shared from Hosea 14, Modified)
Some will go and some will return. Some will listen and some will not. Rehoboam is now king after his father Solomon’s death. He asks for counsel and consults “The elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. How would you advise me to answer these people, he asked?” (1 Kings 12: 6)
The people wanted their new king to lighten the harsh labor that their father had placed upon them.
Did he listen to their wise counsel? No way! He rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who grew up with him. Rehoboam was only forty-one years old at this time. Apparently, he established a new administration positioning his friends from his own generation to be in his circle. Their advice steered the king in the wrong direction.
- When seeking counsel, be careful who you listen to.
Consulting experienced and inexperienced men, who differ in opinions, can leave us more confused than before we sought help.
- Let God counsel and confirm before making a decision.
- Refrain from advice shopping.
Folks who run from person to person seeking advice, are looking to find the right person who will say what they want to hear. Don’t fall into this unwise and ungodly trap. It will hinder hearing the voice of God.
- Making bad choices is still subject to God’s divine plan.
- He can still override and turn the tide.
That’s why it’s never too late to return to God.
The Israelites did not like the king’s choice of implementing by”making a heavier yoke on the people.” So they went home.
The residents of Judah still had Rehoboam rule over them. He “Sends out Adoniram, the one in charge of forced labor, but all Israel stoned him to death.” (1 Kings 12: 18) King Rehoboam escapes to Jerusalem, fearing he would be next in line with the stone-throwing!
All of Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, so they sent for him, called him to the assembly, and made him king over Israel.
- A good return may put us in line with a promotion.
Only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the house of David.
Jeroboam had everything going for him, but he makes a huge mistake. He builds shrines on a high place for pagan practices for the house of Israel.
Why did he do that? A commentary said this, “He appealed to their natural desire for convenience. Men usually take the easy way out. Making an idol closer to them was more convenient than going up to Jerusalem.”
- God has never said that serving Him should be a convenience.
- His choice of convenience was a political one for his own benefit.
The golden calves he erected were similar to the ones Aaron made way back in the book of Exodus, when Moses went up to the mountain with God. They didn’t like the delay, nor the inconvenience they were in, so they chose to make an idol, to serve and worship it.
“Men are willing to worship God if they are allowed to have a ritual and symbols where they have themselves devised.” Charles Spurgeon
It was a sin when Jeroboam suggested this type of worship and became even worse when they followed it.
- Know who you follow and what you are following.
“His own religion came from being devised in his own heart.” David Guzik
(Shared from 1 Kings 12: 1-31, Modified)
Jesus wants His children to return before His return. He appeared to Mary Magdalene after the resurrection. She was instructed by Him to tell the others, yet, they did not believe it.
“Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country.” (Mark 16: 12) They returned and reported it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.
Jesus gave final instructions to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16: 15) They obeyed the Lord confirmed His word with signs and wonders.
It’s time to return to the work of the Lord. It’s time to return to building His kingdom. It’s time to return for “His word that goes out from My mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purposes for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55: 11)
His desire and His word still going out saying, “Return.” Within the word return is the word turn.
(Shared from Mark 16, Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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