The word "innocence" strikes a cord in me that is refreshing, lovely, and hopeful. The dictionary gives this definition: lack of guile or corruption; purity: the healthy bloom in her cheeks gave her an aura of innocence. Even that sentence gives me a brief retreat from the reality that is in the world. I guess that's why I love stories and movies from, what many say, "times of innocence". Or there's the excitement I feel when I see and hold a newborn baby in all it's dependence and complete innocence.
Well, I could go on with my thoughts on all those things. But the reason for the post today is from reading Hosea. As I read over chapter eight, God is describing the senseless deeds of Israel. They are important to Israel but God knows these deeds mean nothing and are going no where! Israel has transgressed against God, His covenant and His law. God tells them they are like a wild donkey and though He has given them ten thousand precepts, those precepts are regarded as strange!! (That sounds familiar!!) He also tells them, "they sow the wind and reap the whirlwind"! There's the "nothing and no where" I was talking about.
And the subject of this post: "How long will they be incapable of innocence?" That phrase "incapable of innocence" struck me in the very opposite way I started this post. It is not refreshing but oppressing; not lovely but ugly; not hopeful but unsettling. And the part that really bothers me is He is talking about His people.
My works are important to me but what does God think about the things I do? Am I pleasing Him from the heart? Are my motives for His glory? Am I moved by my great love for Christ?? Do my cheeks have a healthy bloom that gives me an aura of innocence? That needs to be our prayer! For that "aura" should be the light of our Savior shining through everything we do.
"How long" indeed?!! May I be growing in the grace of my Lord each day and with each day have a greater capacity for innocence. Amen and Amen!!!
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