Speaking Tenderly in the Wilderness (Hosea 2:14)

 


Wednesday, July 31, 2024


Psalm 59

Hosea 2:14-3:5

Romans 5:1-11


Observances: Joseph of Arimathea; Ignatius of Loyola, priest & founder of the Society of Jesus (d. 1556)


Speaking Tenderly in the Wilderness (Hosea 2:14)


These two tools we wield, the sword and the trowel, depend on the person who uses them for their effectiveness. We are working on turning back from future calamity, and on building the kingdom of heaven on earth. Yet we mustn't fall into the trap of thinking that all this is as simple as the laws of thermodynamics: that certain actions result in certain reactions.


God often uses hardship in our lives as a way to grow our character. He doesn’t seem happy with merely redeeming a people; of simply leaving us as he found us. God is also involved in the work of sanctification, of building us up into mightily holy people.


St Paul is proud of the fact that his heavenly Father loves him so much that he has been given a tough life. He boasts of his afflictions, because it produces endurance, which produces character, which produces hope. And hope does not put any Christian to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.


Being led into the wilderness is a biblical theme that talks to hardship. But it is not a place where God is absent. It is a place where God builds our character. Jesus went into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan, and came out winning his first of many victories. And God, speaking through Hosea, talks about “alluring” wayward people into the wilderness, so that they may have their own character formed, “as at the time she came out of the land of Egypt”.


So when we work hard, by praying, studying the Bible, serving our church and loving our family – wielding the sword and the trowel, building the kingdom of heaven – we can’t be discouraged if we find ourselves in the wilderness. In fact, it is more likely that we are being prepared for something even greater!


Lord, my faithful lover, caring brother, and wise Father; lead me safely through the wilderness so that I may be ever more effective at building your kingdom on earth.

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