Reclaiming the Truth
“But afterward the people will return and devote themselves to the LORD their God and to David’s descendant, their king. In the last days, they will tremble in awe of the LORD and of his goodness.” Hosea 3.4-5
Redeeming the Time
The Israelites were afraid of God. They were afraid of His punishment, His judgment, His wrath. That much seems obvious. Instead of moving toward God, they moved further from Him. Sin does that. Sin separates.
Sin separates us from God. Sin separates us from others. Sin separates us from our truest selves. The more we sin, the more we find ourselves in deeper spaces of separation. In that darkness, we can even find ourselves more afraid, not of God’s judgment, but maybe more afraid of His love. What if He really does love us, love me? What would that mean for the way I live my life, for the way I love in this life?
There is no fear in love. Perfect love drives out all fear. It would take a long time for the Israelites to realize that. It would take about 750 years for them to realize that truth. Can you imagine the cost? Can you imagine the pain? Can you imagine the suffering of being afraid of love for 750 years?
Eventually, the Israelites would return. And notice their posture in their return. It wasn’t fear, it wasn’t cowardice. “In the last days, they will tremble in awe of the LORD and of his goodness.”
Did you catch it? They couldn’t believe just how good their God is. How good our God is. How good your God is.
Can you believe it?
Reflection
- Describe a time when you viewed God as only a God of judgment and wrath.
- How has God’s goodness penetrated your heart?
- What’s the greatest challenge in learning to love and be loved without fear?
Resting in His Redemption
John the Beloved writes to the church to remember the essence of the Gospel. God is the Gospel. In Him is freedom from fear, freedom from judgment, freedom from guilt and shame. Rest and receive His truth in these verses of life.
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment…” 1 John 4.16-18.
