We Often Times are Conflicted

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patriziasoliani

Scripture: Hosea 1:8-9

When she had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she conceived and gave birth to a son.  And the Lord said, “Name him Lo-ammi, for you are not My people and I am not your God.”

Insights: Today’s Thoughts by Scott is titled We Often Times are Conflicted.  I mean by that title that we are often time as people in conflict with another individuals.  In this specific case Israel is in conflict with the Lord God because of their rebellion.  As a result, God tells them that He is about to remove them into captivity and He will not longer be their God because they will no longer be His people.  These ten tribes are eventually taken over by the Assyrians and they are never returned back to Israel.  They become the lost tribes of Israel.  All they had to do was repent and turn back to the Lord and this devastation would never have come upon them.  They, however, chose to remain in their relational conflict with the Lord and judgment came on them.  We as a people also experience conflict in our lives as well.  Conflict in and of itself is not a problem just as anger in and of itself is not sin.  Conflict and anger become sins in the way we respond to it.  If we are not able to deal with it in a fashion that honors the Lord, then we move into the realm of sin.  All too often, because of our  humanity, we respond in the inappropriate way and as a result move into sin.  When it comes to the Lord, I am grateful He is big enough to handle my conflict.  In other words, there are times I get mad at God, but He is able to handle my frustrations.  The key is to not let those frustrations prevent you from maintaining intimacy with Him.  When conflict is in regard to people, then you need to hold to the admonish of Paul when he tells us to live at peace with all people as much as it depends on us.  Let us strive for relational purity in our interactions with people and the Lord.  Let our example be seen by the lost world and may they come to know Jesus as a result of our manner of handling conflict.

Questions:

1. Is there a person which comes to your mind in which you are presently in conflict?

2. Is the Lord Himself the person with whom you are in conflict?

Prayer: Father, I am grateful You are so big that You can handle the times in which I get angry with You.  Help me to understand You and Your ways better and to rest in Your perfect plan and will.  Amen.

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