“Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me. And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds …” (Hosea 7:13,14)
We are are either with God or we are not. God knows those who are His and He knows those who are walking with Him. With our mouth we can draw near to Him, while our hearts are far removed.
Life with God must be purposeful. We daily make the decision to take our heart to God or keep it to ourselves and our own thoughts. God will not invade our souls when we have locked Him out. He stands at the door and knocks. He waits for us to want His entrance and fellowship.
We are either fleeing from God or fleeing to God. He calls us to actively, continually seek Him and His strength. Such a diligent pursuit has the promise of reward. The failure to do so has the promise of woe.
God wants us to cry to Him in the day of trouble, and each day has its share of humbling trials. The more we go to God the more help we get to deal with the pains of life. If we don’t go, things only get worse. Complaining about our lot is sure to make us more miserable.
There is only one sure way to relief – invite God into your deepest pain. Make Jesus your Refuge. Pour out your complaint to Him. Show Him your trouble. Ask Him to strengthen and help you and show you His way.
If you must howl, howl to God. He will put your tears in His bottle. He is the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our tribulations. Don’t go through life without Him.