Bands Of Love

Hosea 11:4 

"I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them

as they that take off the yoke on their jaws,

and I laid meat unto them."

    God looks back on the happy, blessed past, as a fond parent on the innocent childhood of a son who is now causing endless pain and grief. He thinks about the call from Egypt, and relates how, in obedience to His appeal, Israel came out of the idolatries of that country. He describes Israel as a tiny child beginning to walk, and says, "I taught him to go."  He compares the Israel of those days to horses or oxen, relieved of the yoke, Let us remember that God is also willing to teach us to go, and to carry us when we are weary. 

    The blessed childhood of Israel however where bent on backsliding. As believers we know that God’s love is not easily repelled. What more pathetic words were ever uttered by broken hearted parents than, Hos.11:8-9! "For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers." That is still the reason for our plea. If we were dealing with man, we might despair. But we are dealing with One who forgives us according to the riches of His grace. "If a back-slider should read these touching appeals, let him be encouraged to retrace His steps one by one, sure that the Father waits to welcome him where the by-path has broken off from the main road."
Amen!

Reading: Hos. 11:1-12
Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry