Hosea 11:7, "And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him."  

As we all know, the tendency in life is to go in the wrong direction spiritually if we aren't careful. It doesn't take effort to fall away from God, but it takes much effort to remain close to God. Staying close to the Lord has to be an everyday priority in your life or before you know it, you are not walking as you should. We must determine that time spent with the Lord is the most important time of your day. Everything else is dependent upon my remaining close to the Lord.  

It is obvious Israel's problem was not remaining in step with the Lord. They discontinued giving Him first place in their lives and as that path continued it denigrated into a failure to exalt him. The Jamieson Faucett Brown Commentary states: "Not only do they backslide from Me (God), but they are bent upon it. Though they (the prophets) called them (the Israelites) to the Most High (from their idols), "none would exalt (that is, extol or honor) Him." To exalt God, they must cease to be "bent on backsliding," and must lift themselves upwards.  

Before we can do what is right, we must repent of what is wrong. We must stop doing the wrong before we can begin doing what is right. Examine your life and see what is wrong, repent of it, then pick up that which is right and cling to it. Examine your life daily, because we are a people who are bent on backsliding!  

Notice the words of Romans 1:14-32 as we see the spiritual decline found in most of humanity:

"I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."    

Wow!!!!   We can really get messed up if we aren't careful.  

Have a great day walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. 

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1. Are you faithful in reading and studying the Bible? How does this influence you?

2. Is there anything in your life that you know is displeasing to God? What must you do in order to get right with God?

3. What can you do to guard your heart from backsliding?