This scripture has been cited here numerous times but often in a different context from the direction I will be taking this day. Instead, I would like to compare the above prophecy from Hosea with the following promise from the Lord, when He said, "Put Me in remembrance." (Isaiah 43:26) Indeed, put this same Lord God in remembrance today -- "I, even I, He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins ... put Me in remembrance." (Isaiah 43:25-26)
Who is the Lord speaking to here? "This people have I formed for Myself; they shall show forth My praise." (Isaiah 43:21) As we know from the new testament, He is speaking to a peculiar people. A chosen generation. A royal priesthood willing to show forth His praises day in and day out. Willing to walk in the cool of the day with our Lord and Saviour, praising Him continually for His goodness and mercy. Why? Because we are a chosen generation.
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (I Peter 2:9)
This is why we are instructed to "hear the Word of the Lord." (Hosea 4:1) To diligently study His Word for our wisdom and knowledge. To "study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth." (II Timothy 2:15)
Further, Paul who is an apostle of Jesus Christ, puts us in remembrance "that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee ..." (II Timothy 1:6)
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power , and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God who has saved us, and called with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began .. but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light though the gospel ..." (II Timothy 1:7-10)
We have so very much to be thankful for. In fact, David from the Psalms, so eloquently explains the many blessings of the Lord this way.
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, [and] from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day, [nor] for the pestilence [that] walketh in darkness; [nor] for the destruction [that] wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked, because thou hast made the LORD, [which is] my refuge, [even] the most High, thy habitation. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because He hath set His love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation." (Psalms 91:1-16)
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day, [nor] for the pestilence [that] walketh in darkness; [nor] for the destruction [that] wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked, because thou hast made the LORD, [which is] my refuge, [even] the most High, thy habitation. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because He hath set His love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation." (Psalms 91:1-16)
You see, David personally knew the Lord God that was reaching out to him in love. Today, this same Lord God and Saviour is still saying: "Come now, and let us reason together," saith the Lord, "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)
Yes, Jesus loves you and wants to perform in you a new thing -- one that shall spring forth -- one where "He will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert" for His chosen people. (Isaiah 43:9)
Therefore, ask Jesus into your heart today. Seek His Word, so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (II Thessalonians 1:12) Pray always, counting your salvation worthy of this calling, "and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power. Stand in the offering plate.
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