Thursday, February 20, 2014

WEEKLY ALL IN DEVOTION: Thursday, February 20th

The Percussion of Seduction
By MiT Valerie A. Johnson

In an orchestra, the audience experiences rhythmic movements to the tuneful sounds of strings, brass, woodwind, and percussion. The cadence of the drum, cymbals, or piano add vivid color and excitement, galvanizing our senses, often without our consent. We detect similar lyrical fluctuation in the expression of Hosea 11:1 as he metaphorically characterizes a nurturing parent-child relationship between God and His beloved son (Israel). Israel's heart strayed from his father, preferring the seductive snare of idol worship. But God was 'aroused' with compassion (Hosea 11:8-9), devotedly pursuing justice by mercy and forgiveness, not wrath. As parents, caregivers, or school officials, can we forgive our children when they break our rules? Can we affirm and restore them when they've wronged us? God's infinite love caresses us with words of affirmation-- "I love you with an everlasting love" (Jer 31:3), "I'll never leave nor forsake you" (Deut 31:6), "though your sins be as scarlett, they will white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18). When we fall prey to seductive reasoning (sin), we must confess it, and ask our heavenly Father's forgiveness, knowing "...he's faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1John 1:9). Yes, we live orchestral lives, often with sudden syncopation, yet the depths of God's "hesed"--(God's faithfulness to His covenant), draws us "ALL IN" to himself, drumming mercy and blowing forgiveness, that we may know Him intimately, and flow harmoniously with our fellow man.

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