When you find 'thorns' in your path
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"I will hedge up your way with thorns!" Hosea 2:6
These words are spoken to the backslider, they flow from God's love, and indicate painful opposition in the path of spiritual declension. It is a fearful thing to be allowed to choose, and pursue our own way—without divine obstruction!
But if God loves us—He will oppose us, when we are found in forbidden paths!
He will lay the 'thorns' in our way!
He will wound us—in order to restore us!
The wounded child will go home for healing—for the sense of pain and danger will humble its proud and haughty spirit.
Beloved, when you find 'thorns' in your path, just stop and ask,
"Am I in the right road?
Is this the true pilgrim's path?
Does this way lead to my Father's house?"
For the 'thorns' are intended to . . .
awaken inquiry,
produce reflection, and
bring to repentance.
We often see and feel the thorns—but we do not see the hand that laid them in our path. Perhaps we do not dream that it is our heavenly Father—but are ready to say, "An enemy has done this!"
These thorns are . . .
sometimes bodily afflictions,
sometimes losses and crosses, and
sometimes opposition from worldly men.
But whatever may be the nature of the thorns—our Father Himself laid them in our path!
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