Hosea 2:14-15 “So I am going to attract her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and I will make the Valley of Trouble a door of hope. There she will respond as when she was young, as when she came out of Egypt.” The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
My church fellowship is in what seems to be a valley of trouble. This scripture was quickened to me as I pondered God’s purpose for our church during this time of grief. Our senior pastor has resigned after the disclosure of his actions many years ago. The depth of sorrow in our hearts cannot be underestimated. He has been used to expound on the Word of God to multiple generations. Many have been saved, healed, delivered with subsequent restoration of relationships and families. It is like a foundation dropped out from under us all.
One issue the Lord has raised is that we must all recognize whether we have been in a season of elevating a man above his appropriate station. Only Jesus is the head of the church; all other leaders are undershepherds. The Holy Spirit and the Holy Scriptures caution that no man is to be revered. I believe many of us were in danger of exalting a man inappropriately. God forgive us. This tends to put any such person in danger; no one can live up to that glorified status. All we humans are sinners in need of a Savior; God’s children recognize their position and accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on their behalf.
As the Hosea quote quickens in my spirit, I realize that we now have a choice as to how to view this valley of Trouble. In Hosea, God says that He will woo Israel (the church) into the desert to speak tenderly, to restore what was lost, and to offer hope amid trouble. In other versions, He promises that as we choose to praise Him in this valley, we will be restored.
To all my fellow members of Gateway, whether at a campus, at a Gathering, or online, I encourage you to choose to praise our Lord God Almighty despite the pain. He will be faithful to His word and His promises. For the body of Christ, pray for us and yourselves, as well as all those directly involved in the reported events. Accountability and forgiveness are both necessary. Also, we need to stand together during these difficult days, so that the world will know us by our love.
John 13:34-35 “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” Amplified Bible Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
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