Because your sins are so many and your hostility so great, the prophet is considered a fool and the inspired man a maniac. The prophet, along with my God, is the watchman over Ephraim. Yet snares await him on all his paths and hostility is in the house of his God, Hosea. Nine, seven, eight. When a dog breaks a sit stay or a halt command, he is immediately corrected by his master. No one considers the master cruel for training his dog to obey. Even though the training involves a degree of correction, everyone knows that obeying his master could save the dogs life someday. For example, lets suppose the master is playing with the dog one afternoon. He throws a ball and the dog chases it. But the ball hits a tree and bounces right out into the street with the dog in hot pursuit. At that same moment, the teenage boy from down the street romps on the accelerator of his souped up sports car, zooming in front of the masters house. Before the dog runs into the street, however, the master yells, halt. And because the dog is well trained, he screeches to a stop, sits on the sidewalk, and looks back at his master. The teen slams on his brakes but still runs right over the ball. The dog, though, is safe. Tragedy was averted because the dog had learned to obey. We praise the dog's master for properly training his dog. But then we get all upset when someone tells us that something we believe or do is wrong in the eyes of God and according to his word. Even though that person may be anointed and appointed by God, a pastor or a preacher, for example, his corrections are often unwelcome. In the days of Hosea, a prophet's words were often ignored and brushed aside. He was said to be unrealistic and intolerant. He was called a hater and said to be phobic. No doubt people said, you're a fool. You're an idiot. You don't know what you're talking about. You're being judgmental and unkind. Why should we listen to you? You're just a crazy old man who is out of touch with the real world. Go away and leave us alone. Sometimes people got so angry at the prophets that they even stoned them and drove them out of town. Wed expect this kind of treatment from a Hitler or a Charles Manson, but not from rational human beings, especially not those who claim to be the people of God. Yet the worst hostility and abuse suffered by a prophet in Hoseas day and in our own came from the very people he was trying hardest to help. No wonder the writer of Hebrews cautioned believers to obey your leaders and submit to their authority because they keep watch over you as men who must give account. A master trains his dog to obey in order to protect the dog and make life good for all. We don't sneer at him for doing so, and we should not mistreat those who are watching over our souls either.

This has been your thought for the day with Steve Burkham, pastor of Community Christian Church in Stockton, California. If you have questions or comments for Pastor Steve, please send them to dailythoughtspodcastmail.com dot. Have a great day, and we hope you'll join us tomorrow as Pastor Steve opens God's word to bring us another thought for the day.