Strangers in this land

Do not rejoice, O Israel, with joy like other peoples For you have played the harlot against your God.

You have made love for hire on every threshing floor
Hosea 9:1

There is much to mourn over in this life.
Just as Hosea is called to show us the picture of harlotry on the part of the Jews,
mankind is called to repentance and yet spiritual harlotry runs rampant in the church.
Many have left their first love.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. III John 1:11

We are held captives as sojourners in this land.
As we sow in tears with the prayers, as deep cries out to deep,
as the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and makes groanings which cannot be uttered, then God bends down low to hear our prayers, and catches each tear that falls in a bottle.
Those tears, those prayers are precious to our Father, as precious as the ointment that Mary used as she broke the alabaster box to anoint Jesus. Our prayers reach heaven as a sweet smelling sacrifice just as the ointment filled the room with its beautiful odor.

At times we can overlook the incredible honor and glory we can lay at the feet of Jesus when we take part in suffering for Him, rather than trying to just get out of a difficult situation.
I can lay all that concerns me at the feet of Jesus, when I am on my face before Him in prayer.

I can also trust that He is able to take care of everything that concerns me, and cling to the promise He gives me… that one day I shall reap in joy all that I have sown in tears.

Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy!!!
Psalm 126:5.