SOAP Hosea 12: Surrender

Surrender

Hosea 12

The Lord God Almighty, the Lord is his name! But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.

Hosea 12:5-6

While Hosea had been sent to Israel and he often used Ephraim as an example of their spiritual adultery, in this verse God used him to also name Judah as guilty. Then historical reference to go back to the root of their nation in Jacob. This was to make it clear that God was displeased with not only Ephraim and Israel, but all of his people who had betrayed him.

But we can see is the last part that God desires reconciliation with us. With all of his people he wants us to return and wait for him always. God wants us to come to him!

The Lord is good to them that wait for him, to the soul the seeks him.

Lamentations 3:25

I am reminded of the struggle between Jacob and the angel in Genesis 32: 24-30. Jacob refused to submit to God, so God demanded submission from him in a literal wrestling match. Jacob lost and wept. I know I have felt this way. Lost in my ways and my own pride. Being left where the only thing I could do is hang on to God and plead for a blessing.

Hosea is bringing this story to mind to show Israel what they have to do. Instead of going their own way and wrestling with God, they have to surrender.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

James 4:10

We all know there are two ways of learning lessons in life. The easy way or the hard way. Full disclosure – I see myself going the hard way far to often. I love God so much. But my pride and need for control really get in the way of the surrender he talks about and requires from us. If I could just remember when I go my own way and leave God aside things are always harder. I pray on this often – to remember that his plans are always better. The path may be longer but there will not be those detours that can lead to destruction.

Prayer – Oh Lord, how many things have a wrestled against you, against your will for my life and against your perfect timing. Help me to trust you more. Trust you in everything and surrender to a will that far surpasses anything I can do on my own. Help me remember you are God and you know better and always will do what is best for me. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.