Contemplative Bible Reading

Hosea 14:9 (English Standard Version)

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;
whoever is discerning, let him know them;
for the ways of the Lord are right,
and the upright walk in them,
but transgressors stumble in them.

The prophet Hosea is delivering the words of God to the people.

There are two kinds of people. Some people walk standing straight up. One step at a time, step by step, no problem. Some people stumble and trip and bumble along through life with nothing working right ever.

What’s the difference? Some people walk in the ways of God. Some people don’t.

This is simple. This must be much more difficult than it sounds because so many people refuse the ways of God. It is easy to ask, “What is wrong with those folks? Don’t they get it? They deserve …”

oooops. Where is my mercy? Yes, there are some who in their right mind choose freely to stumble along in life. And there are others whose stumbling is a horrible tragedy. And all who stumble deserve my prayers and love.