God Pause for Monday, 12/1/2014
/Luther Seminary God Pause
Monday, 12/1/2014 Reading: Hosea 11:1-4
Yesterday's Exodus passage affirmed that God chose Israel. In today's passage, we're reminded that, sadly, Israel didn't always choose God. At times the relationship was woefully one-sided. More often than not--especially during times of trouble--distractions, temptations and even despair led the people astray. Perhaps the same has been true for your own relationship with God.
Yet God's love never falters, reassures the prophet. How can this be? If you're a parent you might understand. When your child is disappointing, or even willfully disobedient, the underlying commitment remains. Whether a parent or not, a broken heart is the price we sometimes pay for unconditional love.
In our relationship with God, we see God's unconditional love poured out most clearly through the cross. Yet God does not stop there. Like the Israelites, God feeds us at the communion table. God shares our burdens. God reaches out with arms of love to welcome us home.
When we stray, merciful God, draw us back to you. Thank you for choosing to love us and for never letting us go. Amen.>
Shelley Cunningham Pastor, Zumbro Lutheran Church Rochester, Minn. Master of Divinity, 1998
Hosea 11:1-4 (NRSV)
1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. 4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.
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