Amos 3:6.  “When disaster comes to a city, has not the Lord caused it?”

What do you think this actually means?  Should it strike fear in our hearts?  Could it possibly be comforting?  Well, this may sound weird and I am not at all suggesting that this is not a difficult idea to get your brain around.  God causes disaster?  Huh?  But, if the alternative is serving a God who does not have control, I think it is comforting that even disaster is not without purpose.  Even disaster is not random.  Since Amos is a prophecy to an idolatrous nation, I guess it is supposed to be something of a warning to us–even today.  Any disaster–natural or man-made–should give me the opportunity to reflect on my relationship with God.  Am I repentant of my sin?  Am I pursuing God in my daily life?  What is my responsibility in it all?  And it should drive me into the Word to a deeper understanding of who God is.  Because it is only through that understanding that I can know any peace.

What do you think?

Hosea 1:7

“I will save them–not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horseman, but by the Lord their God.”

Hosea 2:19-20

“I will betroth you to me forever;

I will betroth you in righteousness and justice,

in love and compassion.

I will betroth you in faithfulness,

and you will acknowledge the Lord.”

Studying Hosea in Sunday School is reminding me of these things:

• To acknowledge and embrace all of who God is.
• All of his attributes are always true–wrath, compassion, judgement, mercy, all of them–even though it blows my mind a little bit.
• God is always going to expose our sin AND keep His covenant.
• He is glorified through the cycle of conviction, discipline, repentance and redemption that I find so often in my life and in the book of Hosea.

Faith that is commended-

Sure faith

Hope unseen

A universe commanded

A better sacrifice

Faith that speaks beyond death-

Pleased God and taken away

Unreceived promises

Faith that pleases God and rewards those who seek Him-

Holy fear that yields an ark

Families saved

World condemned

Faith that builds future cities-

Inherited place

Promised land for a stranger

Wandering desert

Faith that longs for a better way-

Barren, yet childbearing

Descendents like stars

Aliens in foreign lands

Baby hidden in the water

Prostitutes redeemed

Faith that is tested-

Sacrificed child

Promised offspring

Mistreated people

Faith that conquers kingdoms-

Walls fallen

Seas divided

Spies welcomed

Faith that is fearless-

Lions mouths closed

Flames quenched

Prisoners jeered, flogged and chained

Faith that brings a better resurrection-

Exodus

Weakness becoming strength

Disgrace greater than treasures

Faith that makes perfect

*Hebrews 11

Our suffering is, but will not always be.

We get frustrated so easily with our bondage and decay.

We groan.

Inwardly. Outwardly.

We feel pain.

The present is only now.

For a long period,

They groaned.

Groaned.

In their slavery,

They cried for help—

To the One who could help them.

For a long period,

He was silent.

Then,

He heard them.

He was concerned about them.

He

delivered them.

Now, they are free!

No longer enslaved!

No longer groaning!

For us, too, there is

A different glory.

A better glory.

Unimagined.

Hope that is seen is no hope at all.

Eager expectation.

Liberation.

Adoption.

Redemption.

For in this hope,

We are saved.

He

will deliver us.

*Exodus 2:23-25 and Romans 8: 18-27.