Re: Embracing

Linda Pollock May 14, 2021 0 2

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Hosea 11: 1-11 (NRSVA)

1 When Israel was a child, I loved him,
    and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 The more I called them,
    the more they went from me;
they kept sacrificing to the Baals,
    and offering incense to idols.

3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
    I took them up in my arms;
    but they did not know that I healed them.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
    with bands of love.
I was to them like those
    who lift infants to their cheeks.
    I bent down to them and fed them.

5 They shall return to the land of Egypt,
    and Assyria shall be their king,
    because they have refused to return to me.
6 The sword rages in their cities,
    it consumes their oracle-priests,
    and devours because of their schemes.
7 My people are bent on turning away from me.
    To the Most High they call,
    but he does not raise them up at all.

8 How can I give you up, Ephraim?
    How can I hand you over, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
    How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils within me;
    my compassion grows warm and tender.
9 I will not execute my fierce anger;
    I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and no mortal,
    the Holy One in your midst,
    and I will not come in wrath.

10 They shall go after the Lord,
    who roars like a lion;
when he roars,
    his children shall come trembling from the west.
11 They shall come trembling like birds from Egypt,
    and like doves from the land of Assyria;
    and I will return them to their homes, says the Lord.

This image of tenderness, of compassion, of intimacy and steadfast love is the image of our God.

The One Who spoke creation into being stoops down to us and gathers us into His embrace. It doesn’t matter that we have no idea how deeply He loves us. Imagine this God putting his cheek against our cheek, gently reminding us that we are His beloved daughter, His beloved son.

So, how are you going to respond to the One Who places His cheek against your cheek?

PRAYER:

Enduring God, give us courage to return Your embrace, to place our cheek next to Your cheek, to realise that You have healed us with Your compassionate love. Amen.