Set Your Mind to God

Read Hosea 10-14, 2 Chronicles 26
 
Hosea 10:1 How prosperous Israel is – a luxuriant vine loaded with fruit. But the richer the people get, the more pagan altars they build. The more bountiful their harvests, the more beautiful their sacred pillars.
 
AS people consider the decline of Christianity in America today, the general mindset is that our nation’s mind is set on accumulating material wealth. We have much “stuff” we call it. And people with much stuff worship the stuff while keeping God into the closet. This is not a new problem. Mankind’s mind has been set on “more stuff” since Adam and Eve. The first couple in effect said to God, “We want that one more fruit. You didn’t give us all your stuff.” The devil stirred up a deadly desire in the Garden, and mankind’s mind has been set against God’s ample provisions since that day. Hosea warned Israel’s riches had become their pagan altars.
   What might be the “pagan altars” in your life? What do you desire that you don’t need? I know many of you reading this struggle to care for your household, your family and your community. But setting our minds on “not enough” can turn our minds from God’s providence. As we consider our needs, let’s remember who provides. Use your mind to learn skills and know the work God gives you. Use your skills to accomplish the work. Understand good work is God’s will for you. Knowing God’s Word is the foundation to material provision and life satisfaction. We must all want God more than anything else.
    
 
God Weeps
 
Hosea 11:1-3 The LORD’s Love for Israel 1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. 2 But the more I called to him, the farther he moved from me, offering sacrifices to the images of Baal and burning incense to idols. 3 I myself taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he doesn’t know or even care that it was I who took care of him.”
 
DO you hear God weeping? He mourns the missing son he loves so much.
   Yes, his son is Israel, 10 tribes of the people he chose to form from Abraham’s and Sarah’s bosoms. He saved them in Egypt through Joseph. Then he saved them from Egypt’s physical and spiritual bondage. He’s the father who rescues his son from the drug gangs and drunken party. He’s the father who stands by his children when they are bullied and battered. He protects his children and shows where they can be safe.
   God is also the father who doesn’t know why his bruised and battered son will sneak out of the house to risk his life with those who want to destroy him. God’s the Father, who repeatedly, lovingly, firmly, says to his son, “Live right. Obey the rules. Be safe. Listen, and I’ll take care of you. I love you. I love you. I love you.”
   But still the son refuses. “Then go,” the Father says. “Go to your hard life. You must know separation before you truly know reconciliation. I love you and will always welcome you home when you are willing to come.”