13 days ago

Evening, May 20 | “I led them with cords of a man, with bonds of love.” —Hosea 11:4 (NASB)

This Morning's Scripture Reading: Hosea 11:1-4 (NASB)

When Israel was a youth I loved him,
And out of Egypt I called My son.
The more they called them,
The more they went from them;
They kept sacrificing to the Baals
And burning incense to idols.
Yet it is I who taught Ephraim to walk,
I took them in My arms;
But they did not know that I healed them.
I led them with cords of a man, with bonds of love,
And I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws;
And I bent down and fed them.

Devotional Video Transcript:

Our heavenly Father often leads us with the cords of love; but how slow we are to run towards him! How slowly do we respond to his gentle impulses! He draws us to exercise a more simple faith in him; but we have not yet attained to Abraham’s confidence; we do not leave our worldly cares with God, but, like Martha, we cumber ourselves with much serving. Our meager faith brings leanness into our souls; we do not open our mouths wide, though God has promised to fill them.

Does he not this evening draw us to trust him? Can we not hear him say, “Come, my child, and trust me. The veil is rent; enter into my presence, and approach boldly to the throne of my grace. I am worthy of your fullest confidence, cast your cares on me. Shake yourself from the dust of your cares, and put on your beautiful garments of joy.” But, alas, though called with tones of love to the blessed exercise of this comforting grace, we will not come.

At another time he draws us to closer communion with himself. We have been sitting on the doorstep of God’s house, and he calls us to advance into the banqueting hall and eat with him, but we decline the honor. There are secret rooms not yet opened to us; Jesus invites us to enter them, but we hold back.

Shame on our cold hearts! We are but poor lovers of our sweet Lord Jesus, not fit to be his servants, much less to be his bride, and yet he has exalted us to be bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh, married to him by a glorious marriage covenant.

Herein is love! But it is love which takes no denial. If we obey not the gentle drawings of his love, he will send affliction to drive us into closer intimacy with himself. He is determined to draw us nearer to him. What foolish children we are to refuse those bands of love, and so bring upon ourselves painful discipline, which he uses for our good!

-----
Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening is a classic daily devotional that has been inspiring Christians for over 150 years. It is a collection of 732 meditations on Scripture, one for each morning and evening of the year. Spurgeon's writing is known for its clarity, insight, and wit, and his devotionals are full of practical wisdom and encouragement.

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening has been a blessing to millions of Christians over the years. It is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to grow in their faith and knowledge of the Bible.

Here are some of the benefits of reading and watching Morning and Evening Daily Devotionals:

-It will help you to grow in your knowledge of the Bible and your understanding of God's Word.
-It will provide you with practical wisdom and encouragement for your daily life.
-It will help you to develop a closer relationship with God.
-It will challenge you to grow in your faith and to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

#BondsOfLove #Devotional #CharlesSpurgeon #Hosea

Loading comments...