Hosea 13
Thankfulness on the Pathway to Recovery!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, August 26.
Imagine if you only had today what you gave thanks to God for yesterday. When you count your blessings one-by-one, what you are doing is rehearsing that which you are thankful for – you remember so that you won’t forget! People, as a species, struggle with mindfulness because we are so easily distracted. The spiritual practice of thankfulness reminds us of God’s goodness and keeps us focused on making good decisions today.
As the Israelites turned away from God, and toward the empty idol worship of their neighbors, God reminded them of His covenant faithfulness to rescue and provide for them in Hosea 13:4-6, “Yet I have been the Lord your God since the land of Egypt; and you were not to know any god except Me, for there is no savior besides Me. I cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of drought. As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, and being satisfied, their heart became proud; therefore they forgot Me.” After receiving the gift of the Promised Land, a land of rest (peace) and a land flowing with milk and honey (prosperity), they became self-sufficient and self-satisfied. They soon forgot God’s rescue and provision. Because of His mercy, when they were stuck in the rut of their own pride, God reminded them of the essential truth of creation, “there is no savior besides Me.” God was inviting the intoxicated Israelites to get honest about their self-delusions, then to take the next steps of putting their faith and hope back in Him as their savior. This is what the daily discipline of thanksgiving does, it helps you work through these first three steps of recovery – honesty, hope, and faith.
Seize the moment and give thanks to the God who can rescue you from yourself and restore you to the pathway to recovery. Start each day by thanking God for what you have, so that you may have the courage to take the right next step.
God bless you!
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YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.