Hosea Chapter 14

Before you read:  Read Hosea Chapter 14. 

Worshiping With Your Mind:

Hosea 14:3 – “Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount warhorses. We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.” (NIV)

You may not think that you struggle with idol worship today; most people don’t struggle in our culture with bowing down physically to an image. However, our understanding of idol worship is too narrow if we think it only relates to an image of Buddha. The truth is that idol worship exists all around us, and if we really get down to it, we will see how we can easily fall into the trap of idol worship ourselves. 

You and I may not struggle to worship a physical idol, but we absolutely struggle with idol worship still today.  Consider, as just one example, how often we measure our life by the work of our hands.  We can begin to measure our life and count our life a success by what we’ve accomplished, how much we’ve saved, and the great career we’ve built.  Of course, it’s good to work hard and do a good job, but many have turned that into the god they worship. 

There is a beautiful glimpse of hope in this last chapter of Hosea.  There is a recognition that other nations cannot save us, and our very own prize warhorses cannot save us.  Only one God can save us: the Lord, who created the heavens and the earth and sent His only son so we might be made right with Him.  I pray that we will take a fresh look at our priorities and perspectives today and be sure to turn to this God alone for our salvation and hope.   

Reflection:  Are there any idols you’ve been serving that you need to turn from?