Good morning…
“When you pray, simply dwell on one line,” she encouraged, “something like sucking on a candy rather than gobbling it up, or soaking in a bath rather than jumping in and out of the shower.”
I prayerfully dwell on one Bible verse. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them (Hosea 11:4, NIV). In these quiet moments, I savor different translations of this bonding verse.
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CEV – I led them with kindness and with love, not with ropes. I held them close to me; I bent down to feed them.
CJB – …guiding them on through human means with reins made of love.
GNT – I drew them to me with affection and love. I picked them up and held them to my cheek.
NABRE – I fostered them like those who raise an infant to their cheeks; I bent down to feed them.
NKJV – I drew them with gentle cords…I stooped and fed them.
RSV – I led them with cords of compassion, with the bands of love.
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God leads, guides, draws us in with reins made of love.
God bends down, picks up, holds us close, cheek to cheek.
God stoops, lifts, gently feeds, fostering us like a little child.
Like newborn babies, thirst for the pure milk of the word so that by it you may grow in your salvation. Surely you have tasted that the Lord is good! (1 Peter 2:2-3, ISV).
Tasting the sure goodness of our gracious God, we suck and savor, thirst and grow.
…Sue…
