Daily D – Hosea 14:8-9

by David Bowman | Sep 20, 2023 | Daily D | 0 comments

Hosea 14:8, 9
“O Israel, stay away from idols! I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me.” Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.” (NLT)

If you want to live well, make sure you understand all of this. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll learn this inside and out. God’s paths get you where you want to go. Right-living people walk them easily; wrong-living people are always tripping and stumbling. (MSG)

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Our God is not a seasonal Savior.

Whatever season you find yourself in, his presence is refreshing and ready for anyone and everyone who turns to him.

The news this morning intruded upon my awakening mind. Every report in every direction was a point of conflict, failure, and hopelessness.

Why do people settle for living so poorly? Why do we impoverish our souls? Why do we seek answers where everyone questions everything, settles on nothing, and is entertained by evil? I may need another cup of coffee for things to start making sense.

Some days, it feels like we are all bullfighters. We stand in the way of charging beasts and try not to get gored. Instead of one bull, however, there are dozens. They don’t wait for us to wave our red capes. They charge whether we are ready or not.

There is a better way. This two-verse tagline at the end of Hosea’s prophecies works as a summary of the book and as practical application for our lives.

The Message amplifies verse 9:

God’s paths get you where you want to go.
Right-living people walk them easily;
wrong-living people are always tripping and stumbling.

1. God gets us where we want to go.
2. God’s path for our lives is easier than every other option.
3. God’s path protects against unnecessary trips and stumbles.

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I will walk with God to gain his perspective, to get where I want to go, and to live at greater ease in an uneasy world.

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Our Father, I’m going with you. Your path for me is the one I choose to walk. I prefer a trip-proof life. I do not want to stumble and fall. Empower me to live in your positive alternative to this crazy world. Amen.

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