Think Again!

I’ve been studying the minor prophets over the last several weeks, and even though it's sometimes difficult to read of God’s judgement on the nations, the overriding theme has been His abiding love for His people, and His longing for them to return to Him.

One of the lovely scriptural nuggets I came upon, that shows God’s precious love, is verse 4 of Hosea 11. God's character of tenderness and care shine in these words spoken through the prophet Hosea.

As I was pondering the image of the yoke being lifted off the neck, the Lord showed me that there have been times in my life when He’s tried to lift a yoke from my neck, and my fingers have clung to it.

I was startled by what God was showing me and I thought, “why wouldn't I want that ugly, heavy yoke removed?”

But did I see the yoke for what it was … bondage, or did I perceive it by using my own thoughts and ways? In Isaiah 55:8 we read ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord’.

Have you had difficult fruit in your life, like me, and wondered where it was coming from? Ephesians 4:23 (AMPC) says ‘And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude]’.

Sometimes it takes a changing of my mind, a renewing of my thinking, to let God’s perception of this yoke, be my truth. Then I can run to Him, for Him to lift my yoke and cleanse me from sin.

Do you need to change your mind, renew your thinking and get God's perspective on your life?

Prayer: Father, thank You for drawing us to You with gentle cords and bands of love. Thank You for pursuing us to bring restoration in all of Your children's lives. Thank You that Your ways lead to truth and freedom. Help us to trust You, and be prepared to change our minds, and submit to Your sovereign ways. Amen.