ROAR
Today’s Reading: Hosea 11-12
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The “Lion’s Fountain” in the Peoples Square in Piazza Del Populo, Rome. Jesus Christ, known as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water!” (John 7:37-38). The “roar like a lion” statement in today’s reading symbolizes the power of God’s Word to communicate God’s desires for His people.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Hosea 11:8, 10
“How can I give you up, Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
How can I set you like Zeboiim?
My heart churns within Me;
My sympathy is stirred”…
“They shall walk after the Lord.
He will roar like a lion.
When He roars,
Then His sons shall come trembling from the west.”
A prophet represents God to people. A priest represents people to God. In today’s reading, Hosea reveals God to us as One whose great heart “churns” because of His love! God is moved to action and He roars like a lion, thus getting attention for His call to return. About 6,000,000 of the children of Israel, who were scattered throughout the world, have come to the land of their ancestors. Israel is now a nation state once again. God has not given up on His ancient people.
But what about the rest of the human family? He has not given up on us either. The Apostle Matthew, a Jew, quotes his prophet, Hosea, referring to the fact that, as a Child, Jesus was taken to Egypt to protect Him from the murderous rage of King Herod. “Out of Egypt I called My Son!” (Hosea 11:1). Let’s read Matthew 2:1-15. Jesus Christ, as no other, revealed the compassionate, longing heart of God for all people. He roars with the Words that come from His mouth. God’s final Words in the Bible through John, who ministered as the final Bible prophet, says to the entire human race, “I, Jesus, have sent My angel [messenger named John] to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” John goes on to proclaim, “And the Spirit and the bride say ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him come and drink of the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:16,17).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Yes, Lord, I tremble at Your Word, and I do come to You every morning! You roared from the cross the most powerful communication ever, and You have gotten the attention of at least 2 billion people currently on earth. You did not give up on the human race, and You continue to call to us to come to You! I thank You that I heard You and responded the day I received You as Saviour, and I remain in Your holy presence. I pray that Your “Roar” will be heard around the world today. May many more come to You! In the Name of the One who has gotten the attention of more people throughout the centuries than any other person, Jesus Christ. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Yes, I know that God also speaks in a “still small Voice” (1 Kings 19:11-13). Whatever it takes for God to communicate to me, bring it on! I need to hear from God daily. I do so by consistently, without fail, listening to God as I read His Word. I must confirm anything I’ve heard, or think I’ve heard, by checking it out in the written Word!
I may have mentioned this before, but I’ll never forget hearing a Vancouver pastor of Chinese extraction “Roar!” (he made a noise like a lion). I said to Gideon Chiu, “What are you doing?” He answered, “The serpent has had my Chinese people for far too long. The ‘Lion of Judah’ roars against the serpent!” It was a prophetic gesture. We have many examples in Scripture of the prophets making various gestures to illustrate their points. Pastor Gideon is so on fire for God, that I know I need to stoke the fires of my fervency more and more.
Yours for making ourselves available daily for God’s communication to His human family through His written Word!!! Whether it’s a “Roar” or a still small Voice, are we listening?
David
P.S.
I came across some pictures of lions roaring (one is below). When a lion roars, we’d better listen!!!
Happy Good Friday, fellow saints in the Lord. May your day be as blessed as you make this blog, each day. Oh, Jesus our Saviour, we think of You, today, suffering on that cross for our sakes. We are blown away by Your sacrifice and love for us. Undeserved grace.
Cease meddling with God’s plans and will. You touch anything of His, and you mar the work. You may move the hands of a clock to suit you, but you do not change the time; so you may hurry the unfolding of God’s will, but you harm and do not help the work. You can open a rosebud but you spoil the flower. Leave all to Him. Hands down. Thy will, not mine.
–Stephen Merritt
Christ Is Risen – Matt Maher (Lyrics)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV42JDKd5c4
Amen, Beverlee! Thank you.
It was my sin that held Him there, until it was accomplished.
His dying breath has brought me life. I know that it is finished.
Praise God!! Thank you Jesus!!
Amen, Sally!!!!!
Yes, Amen Beverlee, what a powerful truth!! Give it all to Jesus!
Yes Beverlee Kay I am sure the Lord is grieving how we act in this world; all I can do is pray for others; help where I can; be thankful for all the Lord has done in my life.
for all on this site
please pray my daughter will phone me, she has the number, it would be great to hear from her in Jesus Name amen
Lord I pray You will soften Sah’s daughter’s heart and give her the desire to call her mother. I pray also that it will be a great celebration as their differences are reconciled in You, thank you Jesus, Amen!
Good Fri Morning
a day to reflect
on what Jesus
did on the cross
for us.
Amen Carol. Praise God Almighty, what a Saviour!
Thank you Lord Jesus for paying the price for all our sins, Amen!
Amen, Carol!
A Challenge to all humanity:
Once to ev’ry man and nation
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth and falsehood,
For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, some great decision,
Off’ring each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever
‘Twixt that darkness and that light.
So beautiful, Lynda–amen!!!!
Amen, Lynda!
We had a wonderful Good Friday Service this morning, so touched with the music, Scriptures, devotional and communion. Recommitting ourselves to the Lord Jesus, who paid it all for us on the cross.
Looking forward to Easter Sunday when we celebrate Hiis resurrection.
Happy Easter to all. To those who are feeling low or sick I pray that the Lord would lift them up and set their feet on Higher Ground. ( One of my favourite songs) Eleanor M.
Mine too, Eleanor M.
Trust all are having a Good Friday. Saw the suffering face of Jesus on the cross on the tv and praise Him for loving us that much and forgiving our sins. Like the song that says He did it all for me. Going to a Good Friday service tonight in our community. Looking forward to it. Continue to enjoy the day!
Living He loved me
Dying He saved me
Buried He carried my sin far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh! Glorious Day!!!
Thank you, my dear Saviour fior all you’ve done for us.
A happy and blessed Easter to everyone!
Thank you Luisa! He did it all! Amen What a Day that will be!!
O Glorious Day ( Living He Loved Me) – Casting Crowns (Lyrics)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtO2fVWDUdU
I will re-post tomorrow
Be blessed on this “Good Friday” VICTORIOUS IN JESUS!!
In Jesus Name may healing come to those in need; may freedom from addictions happen to those who desire to clean up their lives! TY Lord
PTL I was able to attend Maundy THursday evening service & received communion! So thankful!
pray the performance of the Hope Road choir goes well tonight!
Pray that my daughter will call me, she has the number,
Pray the Lord would hand pick me the right person to rent the back room; have a vision that someone has the SAME sleep pattern as mine; go to sleep 4 am. & sleep for a good 8 hours and wake….payment would go on loan, the Lord knows my situation,
praise and thank the Lord for all the blessings of this day amen amen
Lord God, open the doors to Sah’s daughter’s heart, that she would claim forgiveness and unity with her mother, so the weight of old wounds would be set free and lifted off both their shoulders. We pray for this blessing in Jesus’ Name. Amen, amen, and amen.
Agreeing with Beverlee Kay in prayer for Sah and her daughter to be united.
Amen, agreeing in pray with you Beverlee for Sah and her daughter’s reconciliation in Jesus, Amen!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us first, for sacrificing your Son for our sins and for your mercy and grace. I lift up all of your Saints and pray that we would always abide in you, seek to do your will and be fruitful for your Kingdom. Lord, I lift up sister Sah and ask you to divinely intervene and have her daughter call her. Also Lord, according to your will, would you assist Sah with the renting out of a room. Lord, thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you for our Christian writers, musicians and artists that help brighten our world. And to all of your Saints sharing your light in this depraved world.
Amen Sandra