Wednesday Reflection, April 28, 2021

Wednesday Reflection, April 28, 2021
A Considerate Father
Brothers and sisters, I greet you well. Have you ever done a favor for someone or shown them kindness yet they appear oblivious to all you do. There may be some who might argue that you don’t do enough and keep expecting or demanding more.
What of Parents who have ungrateful children yet they remain patient with them. They still love them and provide for them.
In Hosea 11, the Lord God spoke through the prophet, as if experiencing a state of nostalgia, He recalled when Israel was a young nation and how He loved, protected, provided for and rescued them from those who sought to oppress and enslave them in Egypt. Even into adulthood, they were still being protected and provided for. In today’s watchword, Hosea 11:3 Jehovah says, ‘I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.’
Freedom and grace were given to the people yet they kept returning to the familiarity of sin. The Lord was always with them, accessible to them and watching over them; still they sought to bow down to the gods of their oppressors or that they acquired along the way whilst ignoring the God who was able to save and to keep and sanctify them.
Brothers and sisters, how different are we today? What of our thoughts? What of the tendency we have to ignore all that we have been blessed with in pursuit of more? What of the lies we believe? What of those lies we tell and the lies we live?
The Lord made it known that the very same people He loved, called and claimed as His were determined to turn away/ to backslide although they referred to Him as Most High God. Friends, who are you calling God today? Are your lips sweet as honey calling Him? What of your heart? What of your actions?
No matter where or who you are today, the Lord loves you with an unwavering love. Disobedience might have taken you down the wrong path but we are further encouraged by our brother Peter who wrote in 2 Peter 3:15 ‘bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation.
As we consider how we react to how others treat us, may we also consider how we treat others but more importantly how God treats us. And worship him accordingly.
Until next week, be confident in our Father’s unfailing love and remember that it is through God’s patience with that we receive salvation.
Amen
Kerone Lamoth