Protests vs. counter protests, black lives matter vs. all lives matter, socialism vs. capitalism, COVID-19 pandemic vs. conspiracy, in-class school vs. virtual school, democrat vs. republican — just some of the current issues that are causing division and conflict if not chaos in our nation.
We each probably align ourselves primarily on one side or the other of these contrasting positions. Perhaps we all agree on one thing, the November election won’t solve the deepening division we see growing before our eyes. And, we all probably have trouble understanding why everyone doesn’t see each issue correctly, like we do! It seems that as anxiety rises, more and more people are also wondering if the end of the world is near.
Perhaps this is why the last verse of Hosea struck me this morning while reading. It says, “Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; Whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, And the righteous will walk in them, But transgressors will stumble in them.” (Hosea 14:9, NASB).
In this seldom referenced book of the Bible, God announces the coming judgment on the northern kingdom, Israel, for turning its back on Him. God tells the nation through His prophet, “It is your destruction, O Israel, That you are against Me, against your help. Where now is your king That he may save you in all your cities, And your judges of whom you requested, ‘Give me a king and princes’?” (Hosea 13:9-10). Hosea warns the nation, “Assyria will not save us.” (14:3).
Back to “the ways of the Lord” (14:9). Even in His judgment His ways are right, so why not walk in them? He is for compassion, justice, honesty, healing, peace and so much more of what we want, or at least say we want. Why do some “walk” and others “stumble” in His ways? The path God has lain out for all is essentially the same for all. Perhaps it comes down to the heart and will. The righteous will bow and surrender, and seek God’s help. Sadly, others simply won’t.
God sent His Son Jesus to show humanity His ways and call people to Himself. Man executed Him on a cross. But God used that terrible rejection of His Son as the very means through which He would bring people to Himself and His ways. Jesus subjected Himself to that death as a substitute to pay the penalty for our sin, and provide for the forgiveness of all who would receive it by faith. Even in the announcement of judgment and call to repentance, God assured Israel of His longsuffering love, “I will heal their apostasy, I will love them freely,” (Hosea 14:4). That love, and call to come, is repeated and extended by Jesus in the New Testament, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).
I don’t think any movement, policy, party, or man will save us from this chaos, but the One whom God sent 2,000 years ago.
— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Dan Krahenbuhl is pastor of Monroe Bible Church.
