SOAP Hosea 9: A Difficult Word

A Difficult Word

Hosea 9

My God will cast them away, Because they did not obey Him; And they shall be wanderers among the nations.

Hosea 9:17 NKJV

The word obey is one of my least favorite words. It is also one of my least favorite to read in the Bible. I have learned the importance of obedience. I have learned through study and relationship the importance of the wisdoms of obedience. And, I do often live in obedience to God. Why, then, do I still cringe when I read it? I can blame it on growing up with a step-father that had ridiculous rules and did not treat me kindly. I can blame it on society’s thoughts that women must be independent and obey only ourselves. I could write for awhile about some of my other thoughts, but it would get boring.

Honestly, is hard to read because it is hard to do. I would consider myself,  mature, but always growing, in my relationship with Jesus. It is easy to outwardly make good choices, my internal thoughts do not always match what everyone sees. They match more often than they did 20 years ago, but not always. I am pulled in different directions, everyday, and it is not easy to continuously obey, to continuously stay on the path that Jesus has for me. Here are some places in His Word that He asks us to:

If you love Me, keep My commandments.

John 14:15 NKJV

eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath,

Romans 2:7-8 NKJV

I think it’s okay that obeying is hard. There is a whole chapter in James about the unruly tongue. Here is a piece of that chapter -

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.

James 3:6-9 NKJV

Jesus knows that it is hard. Yet, He does still ask us to put effort in…and gives us some guidelines on what that effort is:

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.

Psalms 1:2 NKJV

What would my life, what would my thought patterns look like if I was meditating on God’s Word day and night?

I know it would look differently than it does now. I would likely not cringe (at least not as much) when I read the word “obey”. I would likely hear Jesus’ voice clearer. And, it may feel easier to consistently and wholeheartedly obey.

I know that I would look more like Jesus. And, I know that the importance of looking like Him is drawing people towards Him. This is the goal above all else. Who can I introduce to Jesus by simply living a life of obedience to Him?

Prayer: Jesus, You are so good. Thank You for helping me grow. Thank You for Your grace and mercy and love each day. Thank You for loving me and forgiving me through my struggles to obey Your will, Your principles, Your Word. Thank You, Jesus, for this new day to walk with You. Thank You for new opportunities to share Your love with others. I will worship You today! I will love You today! I will praise You today!