“Therefore I will block her path with thorn bushes; I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way…Therefore I am going to allure her; I will lead her into the dessert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor (trouble) a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came out of Egypt. In that day, declares the Lord, you will call me my husband; you will no longer call me my master.” Hosea 2:6,14-16
Allow me to briefly explain this verse if you are not familiar with the book of Hosea. God instructs Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman to give a picture of his love and redemption for Israel. This is such a beautiful example of God’s unconditional, agape love for us.
I love this story because it can so perfectly apply to our daily lives. Our God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5). He is so jealous for us that he will do whatever it takes to keep us close to him. How refreshing and assuring it is to know that God will always keep our paths straight if we allow him to (Proverbs 4:11) and He who began a good work in us will carry it to completion (Philippians 1:6).
Often times, when God hedges us in and blocks our paths, we get frustrated and dissatisfied. We do whatever we can to peak over the hedges and get a glimpse of what we are pursuing while God is longing for us to just look up to him. Unfortunately our ears are less inclined to perk up and listen to God’s tender calling. He may have to lead us into the dessert, into the Valley of Trouble, for a time in order for us to hear his tender words of love being spoken to us.
I love what Pastor Glen Packiam once said:”Could it be that God allows the lesser blessing to be taken from our hands so that He might give us the greater ones? In our thick-headedness, we so easily and often chose the lesser blessings, often even at the expense of the greater ones.”
The greatest blessing, which we often times miss, is the blessing of knowing God. Nothing we consider blessings could ever compare to the surpassing greatness of being with Christ.
One of my favorite quotes from C.S. Lewis explains it well. “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
God has infinite blessings that he longs to pour out on his children but to receive the blessings God has we may have to sacrifice the lesser blessing. Although it can difficult we know that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28). Listen to the verse that precedes verse 28, “For God knew his people in advance and chose them to be like his son.” That is the greatest blessing.
To know Christ and be like Christ we must share in his sufferings but in doing so we will experience more joy than we could ever imagine. In John 16:33 Jesus said “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” God never allows us to endure suffering unless it has a much higher purpose and a much greater blessing.
“Sometimes God lets a stinging blow fall on your life. You bleed feeling the pain and your soul cries out in agony. At first you think the blow is an appalling mistake. But it is not, for you are the most precious jewel in the world to God. And he is the most skilled stonecutter in the universe.
Someday you are to be a jewel adorning the crown of the King. As you lie in His hand now, He knows just how to deal with you. Not one blow will be permitted to fall on your apprehensive soul except what the love of God allows. And you may be assured that from the depths of the experience you will see untold blessings and spiritual enrichment, you have never before imagined.” –C.W. Cowman
How wonderful it is to know that our God has untold riches and blessings in store if we would trust in him and whether the storm, trudge through the dessert, and keep on the straight and narrow path. Then he will return our vineyards and restore our hope.
I love the way the psalmist describes the infinite joy of sharing in an intimate relationship with God. “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” (Psalm 84:10).
Thanks Alyssa,
One of my favorite passages of Scripture. When we are unfaithful, we see God pursuing us, loving us, and continuing to be faithful to His people. Without a doubt…we love Him because He first loved us!
Awesome! I really enjoyed it. The interesting thing about having an experience in the Lord’s courts is that it’s a personal experience that builds upon an individuals history with God. We as believers need to have more moments in our lives, like Jacob, where we experience the heavens opening up to us. From that place, better is one day in His courts than thousands elsewhere. I got rebuked the other day… “Many can give a sermon, but no one can give his history away.” Pastor Bill Johnson
My dear Alyssa,
This is a beautiful note. I appreciate your sincerity and candidness. The quote from C.S Lewis, “That we are too easily pleased.” This very much resignates within my life. The greatest truths are the simplest; and this proves it. I love you my dear
God Bless,
Aimee