Monday, June 9, 2008

Deepest Desire

I decided to transplant my plants on one of the coldest and windiest days of June. Yes, it is June in Colorado but we had high winds and weather in the 40's yesterday. Most of the plants that I transplanted look like they aren't going to make it. My daisies are actually laying on the ground. I am praying for God to raise them up!
Do you need to be raised today? Are you feeling like you are laying on the ground of life? Disappointed with how your life is turning out? Not understanding why something has happened or hasn't happened?
I am studying Hosea to teach at our women's retreat this year and I am amazed at all that God does for us that we don't realize He has done. Israel was clueless to all the things God had provided for them. At one point in Hosea 11:2 God says, "But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me." One of God's charges against Israel was that the more He did for them, the farther they turned from Him. It was the blessings of God that seemed to draw them away from Him. It was His provision that the Israelites gave thanks to others for. It broke His heart and He heaped punishment on them SO that they would return to Him. While reading the old testament, there has been a clear theme - God brings punishment and calamity to us, only to bring us back to Him. That is His goal, for us to return to Him.
In Hosea 11:3-4, He says, "It was I who taught Emphraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they did not realize it was I who HEALED them, I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them." Once again God is showing them all that He has done for them and still they turn to other things to find their satisfaction. We will only be truly content in Him. Contentedness is not about circumstances; it is a state of the heart. But we all do this, don't we? God provides for us and we turn to other things to fulfill our needs. I am guilty. I think "if this just happens, I will feel better," but just like the Israelites, we don't. We ask for manna and when He provides it, we want meat from heaven. We are never satisfied with what He gives. We keep wanting more.
There is a very important lesson here we must all learn and only through the Spirit can we conquer this. I have begun to pray that God would fulfill my deepest desires. That in Him, I would be overflowing, that He would be my deepest longing. My prayer is that God would raise me up from the ground to walk in a manner worthy of Him, pleasing Him in all respects. Lord, make that my deepest desire.

3 comments:

pondering said...

it's true, the place we are most contented is when we are in the will of the Lord! When I'm there it's so sweet, I can't imagine why I would want to be anywhere else! When I follow after my own desires apart from the Lord, it's only miserable and frustrating.
I may try and sign up for the womens' retreat this year, I really want to go! Not sure yet, though, that I will be able to go. I will pray for you since you are preparing to teach it.

Breanne said...

This was great. I really need to work on this!!! Thanks.

Bre

Anonymous said...

I love Hosea! Keep giving us great pondering things Kasey! Miss you guys!
Robin James

Followers