USE UP YOUR CHANCES

“…He is an unwise son, for he should not stay long where children are born.” – Hosea 13:13

REFERENCE
Hosea 13:12-13

This very graphic image painted by our text is quite a disheartening one. The tribe of Ephraim had sinned against God and because of that, God brought them into distress and trouble; sorrows like the pangs of a woman about to give birth. God intended that these pains will lead them to repentance and that a new Ephraim will be born – but Ephraim did not get it, they remained in their distress and trouble – they remained at the ‘door’ of becoming a new nation, but never entered in.

At the point of birth, every baby is in a precarious situation – be born into a new life or be stifled and be stillborn at last. We have heard of babies lying  abridged, some with the ‘cord’ wound round their neck, some come down with their face up or even with a limb, making the birth process very distressing and most dangerous for the baby. If the baby knew how dangerous a prolonged labor is for it, it would do everything not to remain in the birth canal for too long.

Are you at the threshold of a new beginning? Is there a situation that you have been managing for so long? Is there something God has been telling you to do and you haven’t? Is there an opportunity God has placed in your life that you hesitate to take advantage of? Is there a decision you know you should have made for some time now? Is there an illegality you have allowed Satan to perpetuate in your life or family? Why are you putting your change till tomorrow? Between you and deliverance may just be a little push – a little cooperating with the Spirit of God. It may be a time of prayer and fasting, it may be to pick up the phone and call someone. Perhaps, God wants you to just go knock on that door and meet that person. For someone, it may be to just let someone else know what you have been struggling with.

Why would you want to delay your peace, deliverance, favor or joy? Why would you want to hesitate at the point of the birth of the ‘new you?’ Why would the door be open and you would not want to go through it? Don’t be an unwise child – don’t stay at the ‘in-between’ place for too long – use up your chances!

SCRIPTURE PHOTO

ADDITIONAL READING
Acts 24:24-27, Isaiah 51:14 & Genesis 19:12-26

PRAYER POINTS

+ May I not be ignorant of any dangerous situation I am in. Open my eyes to see anything, friendship, habit, pattern, etc., that is hindering the new me from emerging, in Jesus name.

+ Lord, help me to identify and use up the chances you bring my way in Jesus name.