Mackinac Bridge

A series on the book of Hosea
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Hosea 6:4-10:15 

[The story about Hosea is a story about the relentless love of God. Hosea was a prophet who spoke out against the idolatry of the Israelites as they pursued the pagan gods of Baal and Asherah. His life became an allegory about the unfaithfulness of Israel and the relentless love of God.]

 

At the northern-most point of the lower peninsula of Michigan is all things Mackinaw, or Mackinac. Both spellings are pronounced the same… Mackinaw. They include Mackinaw City, Mackinac Island and of course, the awe-inspiring Mackinac Bridge which crosses, you guessed it… the Straits of Mackinac.

 

Before the bridge was completed in 1957, the only way to cross from the Lower Peninsula to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan was by ferry. In many ways, the completion of the bridge provided economic salvation by increasing tourism.

 

There are many highways that can take you to Mackinac Bridge, but only one Mackinac Bridge will take you to the Upper Peninsula.

 

Moses led Israel out of the slavery of Egypt to the Promised Land. The Israelites knew that salvation waited for them there, but there were many hazards on the way. And even more hazards once they arrived.

 

In the Promised Land, the temptation of the Canaanite gods, Baal and Asherah, was too great for Israel. In Hosea 9 we read that Israel had turned away from the Lord to the pagan gods.

 

^10b “But when they came to Baal Peor, 

they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved.              NIV

 

Throughout chapters six through ten of Hosea, we read how the Lord wanted a relationship with Israel; wanted to bring them salvation. But time and again, Israel’s sin kept them separated from the Living God.

 

⁶ I want you to show love,

    not offer sacrifices.

I want you to know me

    more than I want burnt offerings.       NLT   Hosea 6

 

² Now Israel pleads with me,

    ‘Help us, for you are our God!’

³ But it is too late.

The people of Israel have rejected what is good,

    and now their enemies will chase after them.          NLT   Hosea 8

 

Even though Israel was living in the Promised Land, they didn’t experience salvation. The result of Israel’s sin was the judgement of the Lord, which would eventually lead to Israel being taken into exile.

 

Like the Mackinac Bridge is the only way to get to the Upper Peninsula, the Lord is the only way to experience the salvation of the Promised Land. It was true for Israel during Hosea’s time, and it’s true for us today.

 

    ^12b I said… ‘Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’    

                                                                   NLT    Hosea 10

                 

Copyright 2023 Joseph B Williams

www.lifelinebasketball.blogspot.com

 

 

I'm the Best in the World

Romans 10:5-17

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%2010%3A5-17&version=NIV;TLB

(This is the first of two postings on this passage. I hope you enjoy them.)

 

 

There was a tremendous amount of fanfare when it was announced that LeBron James would be returning to his home team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Fans immediately anticipated that an NBA championship would soon follow. King James would inevitably lead the Cavs, and the city of Cleveland, back to the Promised Land.

 

Following game 5 of the NBA Finals, LeBron was asked if he was feeling freer to shoot than normal since the Cavs were so undermanned. His response is a classic: "Nah, I feel confident because I'm the best player in the world. It's simple."

 

In other words, he believed that even though the Cavs were down 3 games to 2 and two Cav starters were out due to injury; that they still were in it because of him. This confirmed that he was Cleveland’s savior.

 

Our passage today is a contrast in how salvation is attained. The Jews believed salvation was possible by obeying the Law. Paul wrote in response to this belief:

 

"For they don’t understand that Christ has died to make them right with God. Instead they are trying to make themselves good enough to gain God’s favor by keeping the Jewish laws and customs, but that is not God’s way of salvation.”

 

 

“For salvation that comes from trusting Christ—which is what we preach—is already within easy reach of each of us; in fact, it is as near as our own hearts and mouths. For if you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord and believe in your own heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

 

You and I may not try to find salvation through laws and customs, but we may try through our spouse, our children or our job. There are many imposters that can lead us down the wrong path; that can lead us away from the Savior and salvation.

 

In LeBron’s interview he talked about how hard he had worked for this. Unfortunately, it didn’t matter how hard Lebron worked or how much confidence he had or even if he is the best player in the world – the Cavs lost.

 

Fortunately for us, God’s word is not just true but He is faithful. He is the Living God who created us and continues to work in and through us. We don’t need the confidence of being the best in the world. We just need the God who is trustworthy.