He leads me beside quiet waters. Remember that? Sounds wonderful doesn’t it? Being led by our Good Shepherd. He looks after us. He knows what we need. He knows the paths we take. He opens the way for us. He guides us through the wilderness. At times He carries us. Above all Jesus has laid down His life for us.
But is that what we really want?
This is the problem:
“The Israelites are stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. How then can the Lord pasture them like lambs in a meadow? Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone! Even when their drinks are gone, they continue their prostitution; their rulers dearly love shameful ways. A whirlwind will sweep them away.” (Hosea 4 v 16-19)
You see they wanted it both ways. They wanted Him but they also would not give up their idols. The freedom of the meadow is opposite to being joined to the idols. They are missing everything they could have because of this lifestyle they have chosen. And this is not a once fallen state but this is a permanent, stubborn, decision made state that they do not intend to change.
So God says they will be left alone. They will be swept away. They will be taken into exile.
Idols will grip your life so tight that they become as much part of your life as the Good Shepherd is. If you don’t get rid then the idols will get rid of you. God’s people went into exile, into a place that they were never meant to be simply because they wanted it both ways. Exiles still exist today. So make sure He is the one who is shepherding your life.
Missions Paul 