Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Dependence Upon God

There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgement of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying, and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Because of this the land dries up and all who live in it waste away. -Hosea 4:1b-3 (NIV)

On this day commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and our country's legal separation from Great Britain, I fear that our country has also declared its independence from God. I have some friends who celebrate the diminished role that God and faith play in our nation today, pointing out that some of the most terrible things in our history were done in the name of God and faith. I cannot deny that such things have happened (and continue to happen), but surely they can't deny that many great things have been done and continue to be done in the name of God as well.

Today's suggested scripture readings are eerily similar to the world in which we live and describe what happens when a nation is in moral and spiritual decay. There is no faithfulness, no love, and no acknowledgement of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery; boundaries are broken and bloodshed follows. The land dries up and the people waste away.

The good news, according to Hosea at the end of chapter 2, is that in the midst of such a wayward nation, God still tenderly speaks and offers a doorway of hope. We can return to God and God will say to the people once called "NOT God's people" that now they ARE God's people and now God is their God. The promise of new life follows.

On this day commemorating our nation's independence, may God grant you the grace to acknowledge your (and our nation's) dependence upon God.




If you're interested in reading through the Bible in year, read Hosea 6-9 and Hebrews 3 for tomorrow.


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