A radio talk show host in our area asked people to call in and tell him what influences your life and fills you up. Then he added, “…but don’t call me and tell me about Jesus.” This is just another indication of how many in our nation are quick to reject God. Yet, we are a nation blessed above all nations and all blessings come from God. Fortunately, God has not rejected us. He does things for us that we don’t even know about.
Hosea lived during the last twenty-five years of Israel’s existence as a nation. It was a time of political upheaval, anarchy and bloodshed. Israel’s spiritual condition had deteriorated. They were involved in idolatry, adultery, and drunkenness. Hosea tried to bring them to their senses. He preached about God’s character, righteousness, omnipotence, and loving kindness. He reminded them of the covenant they entered into with God. Then he prepared them for the impending doom of the nation because of their unfaithfulness.
While reading Hosea one passage got me to thinking about all God does for us. Hosea 11:1-4 says, “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt…I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.”
I especially love the phrase, “They knew not that I healed them…”
I wonder what acts of loving kindness God has done for our nation or for us personally that we knew not. How many acts of terrorism has God averted that we knew not? How many times has he protected our loved ones that we knew not? How many times has he led, strengthened, encouraged, and comforted us that we knew not?
It’s all so easy to appear self sufficient but we must remember every blessing comes from God. As we enter into a thanksgiving season let’s not forget to be thankful for all the things God does for us that we don’t know about.
