WHEN BAALI BECOMES ISHI
"And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali." (Hosea 2:16)
                                
Devotion 12 of 13

THE END OF "OUGHT-TO" RELIGION
     When "Baali" becomes "Ishi," the motives are effected. We no longer serve the Lord out of a sense of obligation ("my Master,") but out of a fervent love for Him ("my Husband.") It is the difference between a slave and a wife! "Thy people will volunteer freely in the day of Thy power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Thy youth are to Thee as the dew" (Psa 110:3). The truth of the matter is, if we do NOT "volunteer freely," we are not the people of God!

     This condition of willingness enables true shepherds to have confidence in those so characterized. Listen to the note of confidence in the Apostle's words as he addresses those who have displayed a willing heart.  "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Phil 2:12,13, NASB). Other expressions of confidence  confirm the glory of the situation. " . . . I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy" (2 Cor 2:3, NIV). "I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you" (2 Cor 7:16, NASB). " . . . because of the great confidence which we have in you" (2 Cor 8:22, NKJV). " . . . I have confidence in you in the Lord, that you will adopt no other view" (Gal 5:10, NASB). "And we have confidence in the Lord  touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you" (2 Thess 3:4). "Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say" (Phile 21).

     When "Baali" becomes "Ishi," we can speak to the people of God like this. Yea, this is the manner in which we should speak!

     The advantages of newness extend to every area of life. There is no aspect of our pilgrimage that is not gloriously effected by betrothal to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Were men to see this, it would soon transform every facet of their religious life, both corporate and private.
     
CONCLUSION
Christ has inducted an era of relationship
     When "Baali" becomes "Ishi," we move from slaves to those that are loved and cared for. We move in with the Master instead of lingering in the outer court, or, worse yet, in the wilderness. Having taken the sin of the world away, Jesus is now the "Way" to God. We can come to Him through the Son--not merely to obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need, although that
is surely involved. Even when we sense no special need, we come to Him  because He is our Husband, our "Ishi." 
     
Affection Now Takes Precedence Over Obligation
     Let no one suppose that faith makes one a libertine. Grace does not give license to sinners! Those who are betrothed to Jesus do not have an appetite for sin. They have not only learned to choose the good and refuse the evil, but also to love righteousness and hate the iniquity (Psa 97:10). Ours is a religion of the heart. We serve the Lord because we love Him. We serve Him because  we prefer to do so. We serve Him because of the unspeakable joy that it affords.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for looking at my heart. I confess my achievement is not what I want it to be. I look forward to the day when I will be liberated from the bondage of corruption. Until then, I covet Your presence, blessing, and approval. I know this is found in Jesus Christ, your Son, alone. I will forfeit everything to know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings!

-- TOMORROW: THE BURNING NEED FOR REVIVAL --