It Was I Who Cared For You

"I loved Israel when he was a child; out of Egypt I called my son. But the more I have called, the further from me have they gone - sacrificing to the Baals, burning incense to the idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; yet little did they realize that it was I who cared for them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with leading strings of love, and I became for them as one who eases the yoke upon their neck and stoops down to feed them." - Hosea 11: 1-5

I want you to think about God's love for you today. This isn't one of those verses about how God loves us so much, and He does, but this one reflects His sorrow in not having us respond to that love.

We're all too concerned with having people love us and care for us, or even making sure our family and friends know we love them, but how have you responded to God's love? Have you taken the time out today to show Him you love Him too and you appreciate the blessings in your life?

Take the verse above and wherever God mentions Israel or Ephraim, replace it with your name. What a tender and nurturing love God has for us! He truly loves us as His children. Look at how He's described taking you by the arms and teaching you how to walk. Before you were even born, He has guided your steps with love and care. We give thanks to others for what they've done for us, but it was God that put those people in our paths to help us, yet we stray from Him and give more importance to other people and other things in our lives.

I'm sure many of you have experienced this feeling or are going through it now - think back to a time when you cared for someone so much and had them ignore you or place you second or third in their lives no matter how hard you try to get close to them. That's the pain we cause God. It's so easy to forget Him when we're doing well. We forget God is real and He is alive and only run to Him crying and pleading when we need something. How selfish are we? Should the way we treat Him be the way He treat us?

Please take this moment to put everything else aside and spend time with Your God who has created You and is waiting for You to speak to Him now.

Today's Prayer:
God, time after time and problem after problem, You are there beside me unconditionally. I'm sorry for all of those times I was too busy to thank You for Your love and for the blessings You've given me in my life. I'm so sorry for the pain I have caused You when I have ignored You and I promise to strive to grow closer to You each day. In Your Name we pray, Amen.