Ephraim knew a day in their history when its people trembled before the Lord. They were successful and the other nations looked on with envy. But in their rise they experienced a fall because in their rising they forgot their God.
“When Ephraim spoke, people trembled; he was exalted in Israel. But he became guilty of Baal worship and died. Now they sin more and more; they make idols for themselves from their silver, cleverly fashioned images, all of them the work of craftsmen. It is said of these people, “They offer human sacrifices! They kiss calf-idols!” Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears, like chaff swirling from a threshing floor, like smoke escaping through a window.” (Hosea 13 v 1-3)
Hosea in a last ditch effort to call them back to God lays it out bare once again.
They turned away from God and turned to idols for their help.
Are we still asking God to help us?
Can we admit to the temptation of sorting ourselves out in our own way?
As we get older do we ask for the same kind of help we asked of God when we were younger?
Is God still our helper?
Hosea warns us all. If we stop seeking for God’s help then all that God had for us will be wasted for we will disappear from His purpose.
We will be like the:
Morning mist – gone because of the rising sun.
Early dew – gone because of the rising sun.
Swirling Chaff – gone blown away by the wind.
Escaping smoke – gone escaping into the atmosphere outside.
Some are not where they should be today because they did not go to God for help and today what they had and who they were has evaporated and blown away. Those who rise in this life must take their need for God’s help with them otherwise the higher you rise without Him the harder you will fall.
Missions Paul 