Hosea 14:1-9 Return, O Israel, to the Lord our God, for your sins have brought you down. Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord. Say to him, “Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you our praises. Assyria cannot save us, nor can our war-horses. Never again will we say to the idols we have made, ‘You are our gods.’ No, in you alone do the orphans find mercy.” The Lord says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever. I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. Israel will blossom like the lily; it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon. Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees, as fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon. My people will again live under my shade. They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines. They will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon. O Israel, stay away from idols! I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me.” Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.
You were just discussing trees with other believers. And here is today’s reading – with mention of trees. Nothing is circumstantial, Child. It has all been decided and arranged – by Me for your benefit. Pay close attention to everything. Look to me to interpret what you see and hear and feel. I am the source of all and I am all you need. Your Nation needs to repent. Your people need to return to Me. You know that and it grieves your heart how blind others are to that need. But, you see how things are changing. Rapidly. Out of control – so it seems. Yet, I am still here. I am still in control. I am still on My Throne. Look to me. As I have been saying to you for years now – look up, not around. Pay attention to everything, but do not focus on everything. Be attentive, then focus on Me. Listen for Me to guide you, to give you knowledge and wisdom. Be discerning at all times. When you hear or read someone who purports to represent Me and My Word, bring it back to Me. Be a Berean. Pray about it. Study it. And trust your discernment. If your first reaction is to mistrust – then withhold trust until it is earned. Many will “speak” for Me. Few will be aligned with My Word. You know that. Trust the spiritual discernment with which I have gifted you. My Spirit within you will guide you. But you have to quiet your mind and emotions in order to hear appropriately. Breathe, Child. As a former friend used to tell you, “It’s already all right”. Even in the chaos of the evil surrounding you. Even in the upheavel of governments, families, structures, financial systems – even in all of that and more, it’s really all ok. You are Mine. That’s all that matters in the end. The middle – what you are experiencing right now – doesn’t matter except in what you do with your knowledge of Me. Share Me with the lost. Be a strong Ambassador. Walk in My Way. Study My Word. Be true to what you say you believe. All the rest is chaff in the wind. It will all disappear and cease to matter. But not your faith. Not your obedience. Not your walk. Those will go with you into eternity.
Amanuensis 