Do you know what God has done for you? Hosea 8-14

Hosea 11:3-4

Yet it is I who taught Ephraim to walk,

 I took them in My arms;

But they did not know that I healed them.

I led them with cords of a man, with bonds of love,

And I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws;

And I bent down and fed them.

In Hosea 8-14 we have God's indictment against Israel as He brings the nation of Assyria into their land to take them captive.   Like a prosecuting attorney this section is filled with points and sub-points about the guilt of Israel and their waywardness in light of God's great love.   In the verses above we get a glimpse into God's character and what He did for the nation, despite their unfaithfulness.   Israel was God's children.  And, like a loving father He did things for them they didn't see, recognize or care to admit.   Like an unfaithful child they chided His great love and only thought of pursuing their own loves and own wicked devices.   Yet, it was God who "healed" them.  It was God who "took them into His arms."    It was God who "taught" them.  It was God who led them "with bonds of Love."  And, in times that would have been devoured and crushed it was God "who lifts the yoke from their jaws."  It was God who "bent down and fed them."  Are we not the same.  Do we not go through lives more concerned about American Idol than the Worship of the One who feeds us every day?  Do we not fulfill our day with wrapping our arms around our stuff and not even acknowledge that His arm is around us for protection and love?   We are bond by the cords of Love by Him.   Why do we take those cords and bring in our own desires and not His.   Remember, He "bent" down and fed them.   We worship the only God who fed us with the love of His Son.   He has shown us great love.   Embrace it and honor it.  Don't do what Israel did.   Keep pure before Him.