Stop Stumbling Around

If you have a bad crack in your side walk that would cause you to stumble you would fix it. When putting stair in homes in the 1800's, it was some carpenters practice to put in a "trip step" to cause someone to stumble on the way up the steps during the night. The whole purpose of the "trip step" was to catch someone who tried to sneak up the steps. But the reality of all this if something keeps making us trip and stumble we would take steps to fix it.

Our spiritual journey is not something we can simply fix. It takes the hand of God upon our hearts and lives. He is willing to remove those "trip steps" that we installed because of our sinful disobedience. God tells to return, you are stumbling because of sin. He invites them to remove that sin so that there will be worthwhile fruit.

God reminds them (and us) that worldly leadership or our own efforts do not save us. Only He can bring about that true change.


Hosea 14
1 Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity. 2 Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him, " Take away all iniquity And receive us graciously, That we may present the fruit of our lips. 3 "Assyria will not save us, We will not ride on horses; Nor will we say again, ' Our god,'To the work of our hands; For in You the orphan finds mercy." 4 I will heal their apostasy, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from them. 5 I will be like the dew to Israel; He will blossom like the lily, And he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon. 6 His shoots will sprout, And his beauty will be like the olive tree And his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon. 7 Those who live in his shadow Will again raise grain, And they will blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.
8 O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like a luxuriant cypress; From Me comes your fruit. 9 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. NASU

God loves YOU! FREELY! He is calling you to choose wisely. Stop stubbing your toes and ask the Lord to help remove that stumbling block.

Explore for Yourself!

What "cry" does God have for Israel? How will they know what to do?
What statement is God looking for from them? List the steps.
What will result from true repentance?
What will they truly understand?
What will God do for Israel when they repent correctly?
Why does God use things in nature to describe His actions?
What does He ask Ephraim regarding idols?
Who has answered and looked after them? Why make this statement?
How will they know a wise individual? What is the "these things" in verse 9?
What is discernment?
How can we distinguish between righteous and transgressors?
Why do you think the Lord closed with that statement?