Baby Steps...

I read this passage this morning and thought I'd share it with you, my loverly friends...

[DISCLAIMER: This is a LONG entry... Read at your own discretion.]

Hosea 11 (New Living Translation)
New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Hosea 11
The LORDs Love for Israel
1"When Israel was a child, I loved him as a son, and I called my son out of Egypt. 2But the more I[a] called to him, the more he rebelled, offering sacrifices to the images of Baal and burning incense to idols. 3It was I who taught Israel[b] how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he doesn't know or even care that it was I who took care of him. 4I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from his neck, and I myself stooped to feed him.

5"But since my people refuse to return to me, they will go back to Egypt and will be forced to serve Assyria. 6War will swirl through their cities; their enemies will crash through their gates and destroy them, trapping them in their own evil plans. 7For my people are determined to desert me. They call me the Most High, but they don't truly honor me.

8"Oh, how can I give you up, Israel? How can I let you go? How can I destroy you like Admah and Zeboiim? My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows. 9No, I will not punish you as much as my burning anger tells me to. I will not completely destroy Israel, for I am God and not a mere mortal. I am the Holy One living among you, and I will not come to destroy.

10"For someday the people will follow the LORD. I will roar like a lion, and my people will return trembling from the west. 11Like a flock of birds, they will come from Egypt. Flying like doves, they will return from Assyria. And I will bring them home again," says the LORD.

How could God love us so? It's incomparable. Indescribable. Unfathomable. Despite who He is, He CHOSE to love us?!? He wrestles with Himself (being completely Holy, and God Almighty) and His mercy, love, and grace shine through.

The version I read this morning said that His heart "beats" for us. How awesome that the God of the Universe and all of creation loves us so! That His heart would race and pour out at the mere thought of us.

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A few of my friends' babies have been learning to walk these days. When I read verse 3, I immediately thought of them.

You see the unsureness in her eyes. Can I really do this? they seem to say. But at the same time there's this eagerness - like some innate force within her is compelling her to stand on her two feet, to move. Her legs aren't used to the physical demand she's now putting on them. They wobble and eventually give. She falls. She'll fall time and time again, but it's OK because it's all a part of the process. It's all a part of growing.

She reaches out and asks that you hold her up.

You take her two little hands in yours and you lead her.
She relies on your strength to give her strength now. Though her steps are wobbly, she trusts that you won't let her fall. And you won't let her give up because you know it's a pain and frustration she's going to have to endure. You won't always be there to carry her, she needs to learn to stand on her own.

Pretty soon she's walking. Soon she'll be running. And you watch from the sidelines - always on the ready in case she falls. And she will eventually. But you'll be there to pick her up, tend to the wounds, wipe her tears and send her on her way again.

The Father's heart surpasses this, I think. He holds us up in His hands every moment of our lives. And He NEVER lets go - through trials, distractions, other loves, and though our hearts wander. He is persistent and faithful. He will never let go. Even in our last days when there's no more strength in our hands to hold on and death is a breath away, He will still hold on. And on that day He'll lead us home.