AUGUST SONNET

Raise voices like the singing crickets make

in August, when they start to stridulate.

In summer heat, and for our season’s sake,

match all the buzz cicadas resonate.

Crash cymbals through dark troubles, quick and sharp.

With louder tymbals, drum out jubilee.

Beat sistrums with the angel’s ringing harp

and tap a tune with Heaven’s tympani.

But, I know every tiny abdomen

will, one day, be a chamber passed away.

Yet for my merry soul, a glad ‘amen’

sings out the promise of eternal’s day.

So long as Christ lets voices amplify.

So long as hearts are raised to glorify.

And David and all the house of Israel

played before the LORD on all manner

of instruments made of fir wood, even

on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels,

and on cornets, and on cymbals. 

2 Samuel 6:5

AUGUST SONNET

The drawn-out season of summer lingers here in Veery Glade, my neck of the woods. Let singing crickets and buzzing cicadas remind you to make your requests known and to pray thankful praises for the specific things God has done. Raise your heart to glorify!

And Hannah prayed, and said,

My heart rejoiceth in the LORD,

mine horn is exalted in the LORD:

my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies;

because I rejoice in thy salvation. 

There is none holy as the LORD:

for there is none beside thee:

neither is there any rock like our God.

1 Samuel 2:1-2

Praying specifically can bring specific joy. Remember Hannah? She lifted praise to God for granting her specific prayer request. It’s a good prayer habit to bring specific praises before God and then prayer requests. How often do we go right to asking for more help without acknowledging what God has already done for us? Consider taking time to recognize God’s provision before presenting additional requests.

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

I Samuel 2:3-4

As Hannah continued her prayer as recorded in First Samuel, she expressed that thing we know God doesn’t like—pride. She states that actions are weighed by God. She knew someone’s boasting would be their downfall. She knew those that stumble but still trust God are strengthened. There is something to confidence in God, even when weak. In our weakness, God shines!

I imagine Hannah also knew about repentance. She knew to turn away from sin and turn to God for forgiveness. She loved God and had a sincere desire to obey His commandments.

They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

1 Samuel 2:5

In bitterness of soul, Hannah had prayed and made a vow to God. God granted her prayer request to be able to have a baby and she gave her baby back to God as she vowed. God turned things around for Hannah from impossible to possible! Those who were full end up hiring themselves out in order to eat and those who were hungry end up full. Stay firm in the Lord.

Once barren, Hannah, now overjoyed, went on to give birth to more children while Peninnah, the other wife with many children and who had provoked Hannah, grew feeble. God turned things topsy-turvy because of a prayer request!

The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

1 Samuel 2:6-7

Hannah continued her prayer, making acknowledgments gained only by realizing our all-powerful God. Today, we sense God’s presence as He dwells within the faithful. God, the Holy Spirit, enables us to understand what we didn’t understand before.

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

1 Samuel 2:8-9

God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. In our time, we know this too that by our own strength, salvation is not obtained. We cannot earn our salvation by doing good works, or maintaining church membership for years, or by supporting the organ fund. Only through faith in God's anointed is salvation made possible. Only by faith in Jesus Christ is anyone able to become a child of God. 

Prayer life should be noisy and active. Requests and praises go together like the sounds of crickets and cicadas in the hot summer month of August.

Hannah’s prayer ends with this declaring verse:

The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

1 Samuel 2:10

The boy God gave Hannah became Samuel who anointed David as king, and David is in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, God’s anointed.

We are blessed in our generation to see God’s Word across time. When our almighty Creator will judge the earth, be covered by the blood of the Lamb. Repent of your sin and be saved.

From her heart, Hannah prayed both earnest requests and joyful praises. We can learn much from this smart, prayer-warrior lady.

So they went out and preached that people should repent.

Mark 6:12

In prayer, trust God for the forgiveness of sin by the decision to repent.

BLACKBERRIES

Blackberries ripen, full and sweet,

to make for me an August treat.

Their goodness calls me, “Come and dine!”,

so up I climb to make them mine.

Safe underneath the ash and beech,

the berries grow within my reach.

I pluck them quickly for my pail

and eat my fill along the trail.

Blackberries splendid, good and free,

are like the graces given me.

God’s fruit is for the picking ones,

and with it, love and mercy comes.

O taste and see that the LORD is good:

blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Psalm 34:8

BLACKBERRIES

Picking blackberries is therapeutic on an August evening up behind Veery Glade, far away from worldly harms. We have time and space to reflect on God's goodness.

And God knows. God knows who wished you harm, and dug up the red geraniums you planted, and swindled you, and lied to you. He keeps a great tally sheet, and He will, someday, reveal Himself and the notes He has been keeping. Until then, we deny ourselves and pick up our cross, as instructed.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."

Matthew 16:24

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

Romans 12:19

So, keep hiking the faithful trail, following Jesus. Trust God while picking blackberries, knowing He will repay. Along the way, remember God's provided goodness.

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Romans 2:4

Give God your hurts in prayer and ask Him for help. Soon, the burden is lifted. Soon, the heaviness of spirit is gone. Repent that you did not trust Him fully when difficulties had pressed in.

The book of Revelation is filled with vivid images of times to come. I found verses about repentance even here in the last book in the Bible. 'Lukewarm' is how the church of the Laodiceans is described, something God hates and would spit (or vomit!) out of His mouth.

So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

Revelation 3:16

God advises this church on what they should do (in verses 17-18) and then says:

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and he with Me.

Revelation 3:19-20

Then later in Revelation, after horror-like descriptions of scenes and of locusts coming from the bottomless pit and then four angels with an army of 200 million destroying 1/3 of mankind, verses tell the fate of the rest of mankind:

But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of theirs hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see not hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Revelation 9:20-21 

Oh, how important repentance is to Creator God! God sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins on the cross. His choice to do this provides justification for the sinner who truly believes. Repentance leads to salvation!

And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.

Revelation 16:9

Some people just aren't going to give God glory. Period. No matter what. Pray that they do. Some people straddle man-made beliefs, seeking help outside of God, or maybe in addition to God, figuring it can't hurt. But do they really fully rely on God? Are we lukewarm? Neither hot or cold? God knows. Pray. Pray people denounce their reliance on things other than Christ.

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Hebrews 9:27-28

As we pick blackberries in August, let us remember that Jesus is the only defense lawyer anyone can have and that the goodness of God can be enjoyed because we were led to repent.

WHERE THE LEAVES DANCE

A soft breeze, a gentle sigh,

I’ll be where the leaves dance.

I’ll look up through at skies of blue

and fall within a trance.

In relaxed state, I’ll contemplate

and hear the wood thrush echoing.

His gorgeous tune releases me,

a distant place is beckoning.

How could God make these woods so fine?

All worries are asunder.

I’ll close my eyes and take it in,

this quiet place of wonder.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

WHERE THE LEAVES DANCE

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

John 14:1-2

As I sit back and look up through the tree branches, I remember the words of Jesus and that He is preparing a place for us. Today. That is one of the things the Son of God is doing right now. How cool is that, my fellow believing forest dweller?

Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.

John 14:10

How amazing that Jesus revealed to the people around Him and to us great truths from Heaven on high! Creator God dwells in His Son. Being born of the virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was born perfect and sinless. There is no sin in God. There is no sin in Jesus. The Son's words are God's words and, we can say, vice versa.

And the Holy Spirit dwells within the believer. Another marvel! His Holy Spirit works with the believer's spirit, reshaping, re-aligning, renewing, and restoring.

Now, let's look at scripture back in the days of the prophet Ezekiel when he was made a watchman for his countrymen, and how it relates to this year's study of the word repent.

So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me.

Ezekiel 33:7

Ezekiel, or son of man, did his job and told his fellowmen that God was giving words of warning. Did you know that God warns? May you hear His warning as clear as you hear the birds sing. Creator God warns. I think we had better listen to His warning.

The beginning of Ezekiel chapter 33 features a trumpet announcing a sword coming against the land to take lives. The results of those who heed God's warning will live but those who will not heed the warning will perish. Here are the words of God:

When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you shall surely die!' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. Therefore you, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: 'Thus you say, "If our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them, how can we then live?" Say to them: 'As I live, says the Lord God, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'

Ezekiel 33:8-11

Turn! Turn from evil ways. The call to repentance is as clear as a blaring trumpet. There are additional verses in the 33rd chapter of Ezekiel and I encourage you to read them.

As I stroll about Veery Glade, I'm reminded that the way of the Lord is just. Heed the warning from God that to be where He is is to be redeemed by His atoning work, relying on His righteousness and not our own righteousness. To be where the leaves dance is to be covered by the blood of His compassionate Son, the Messiah, the anointed, the Christ, the merciful Lamb of God who bore our sins on the cross. Then rose again. He, the Redeemer, lives! He, this very day, is preparing a place for those who put their trust in Him.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

John 1:29

And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:40

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

Quiet yourself and let not your heart be troubled because you heard the wood thrush sing the song that moved you to repent.

PEACEFUL ROCK

I headed for a place I know,

not wanting any clock,

where my burdened ears can hear the flow,

resting well on Peaceful Rock.

By the brook, I’ll sit and close my eyes,

where the canopy is thick,

and contentment there I’ll realize,

as I hear the water skip.

I will sit for many hours there,

or at least what seems to be,

and I’ll hear the water sing His care,

of the love He has for me.

And my troubles will go down the way,

where the ravens tend to flock,

yet the perfect peace of God will stay,

trusting well on Peaceful Rock.

Come unto me, all ye that labour 

and are heavy laden, 

and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

PEACEFUL ROCK

But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before.

Acts 3:18-20

To bask in times of refreshing given from being in the presence of the Lord is the only way the soul restores. To have sins blotted out is the only way we gain eternal life. Knowing sins are as white as snow because of the atoning sacrifice of God's Anointed One is the only way the heart is lifted.

If only Korah had repented of his ways, he might not have ended up in the gruesome death he did. We read about his demise in the book of Numbers, chapter 16. He and his friends, who were well-known leaders and council members, led 250 Levite men against Moses and his brother Aaron, both serving as priests and appointed by God. Moses said to Korah,

"Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the LORD, And what is Aaron that you complain against him?"

Number 16:11

Moses knew that when Korah went against him and his brother, Korah was also going against God. That was not wise. When Korah and his followers twisted the truth, Moses grew angry and told God. Then, Moses instructed Korah and the 250 men to present incense in their censers at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting along with he and Aaron. God's glory appeared, followed by God speaking to Moses.

"Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment."

Numbers 16:21

Yikes! When God talks like this, you're in big trouble! There's no wiggle room in that command. So, knowing the incredible power of God Almighty better than Korah and his company did, Moses and Aaron fell facedown, pleading for Korah's life and those of the gathered group. But, God had already made His decision.

So the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the congregation (to the Israelites not with Korah), saying, 'Get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.'" Then Moses rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. And he spoke to the congregation, saying, "Depart now from the tents of these wicked men! Touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins." So they got away from around the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; and Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the door of their tents, with their wives, their sons, and their little children. And Moses said: "By this you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own will. If these men die naturally like all men, or if they are visited by the common fate of all men, then the LORD has not sent me. But if the LORD creates a new thing, and then earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the LORD." Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly.

Numbers 16:23-33

Korah and his followers had rejected God's authority. If Korah had changed his mind and repented, things might have been different for him. But, everyone following the rebellion he led paid for it with their lives. Korah's decision ended the lives of 250 men in cahoots with him, their wives and even children, in an unnatural, horrific death.

At Korah's opposition, Moses had taken his frustrations to the LORD, and the LORD helped deliver Moses. Pray that we can learn from Korah's mistake. God is merciful and slow to anger. He is loving and kind, and His Son, Jesus Christ, loves us very much. He proved that on the cross! But there will come a day when God will execute His wrath. The Day of the Lord is coming, as explained in His Word, and sins not blotted out will go down into the pit where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. God Himself does not wish this for anyone. Yet, people perish every day. He will not force anyone to believe in His Son, but to come to Him willingly.

Live in Christ's steadfast love and powerful provision of salvation by believing in Him, resting on Peaceful Rock, and holding to the eternal blessings that come from the decision to repent.

The Long Skip Home book trailer!

 

THE FAITHFUL TRAIL

On the faithful trail, I’ll go,
where the ferns are thick and greening,
and the undergrowth goes up and down,
and the trees are sometimes leaning.
 
Yet on the trail, I’ll follow,
as I pass beneath the basswoods,
as I stroll along the touch-me-nots,
and a patch of tangled dogwoods.
 
I’ll trust when at the gully,
where the woods are dark and deepest,
and cross upon the cherry tree,
where the bank is slick and steepest.
 
At trail’s end, I’ll have rest
in a special, hidden clearing—
on the grass, I’ll watch the passing clouds,
and the veeries I’ll be hearing.

 

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

 

 

THE FAITHFUL TRAIL

Veery Glade is lush and green now, and the deep-forested little brown thrush birds known as veeries sing their mystical, swirling tunes in the woodland realm. I especially enjoy their songs at dusk, when they are often one of the last birds to sing, other than the robin, believe it or not!

What happens on the faithful trail?

When a person accepts Jesus as her Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit reveals God's abundant mercy. God chose mercy over justice when He sent His perfect Son to bear the sins of the world on the cruel cross. His blemish-free life was given for our blemish-filled lives. Sacrifice provided eternal life to believers in Jesus Christ, the anointed One, the risen King. The answer to what happens on the faithful trail is that believers become redeemed through God's abundant and enduring mercy.

I give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136:1

Where does the faithful trail lead?

But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Genesis 3:3

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God's word, the outcome had to be as was stated by God because God is just. Even if they touched the fruit, Adam and Eve would have sinned. They didn't even need to eat it! But of course, we know they did, as scripture tells us. My mother, who is with the Lord now, had written in her Bible: 'God Himself faced a moral conflict in the cross. Should He sacrifice His only Son or should He allow the world to perish?' We have the answer in John 10:10 where it is written that Jesus declared He came to give us abundant life.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

I see Mom's wisdom continued in her notes when she wrote: 'God chose mercy over justice. Mercy triumphed! Over Justice! There was no guarantee that man would repent and change his ways after God sacrificed His Son. He sacrificed His Son anyway! When we see people sin, we have a moral conflict. Should we forgive Christians and treat them like nothing happened, or expect them to change their ways first? We must chose as God did and forgive them! Perhaps in time, they will make things right with God.' Thank you, Mom, for your words of wisdom.

The faithful trail leads to abundant life, and ultimately, Heaven.

What do we learn on the faithful trail?

To trust and obey our Father's will, as Jesus did and does, is the best thing anyone can do. To learn to depend on God's Word as we walk along on the faithful trail is most rewarding.

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father?

Matthew 21:28-31a

The Son of God told a story about a father with two sons to the chief priests and elders who challenged His authority. The story went that a father told the first son to go work in the vineyard, but the son replied he wasn't going to. Then, he changed his mind. Something caused him to obey his father after all. So, he repented and went to work like he was told. The second son, however, said upfront, Sure, Dad (actually, 'sir'), I'll go to work. I'll do as you say. But, he didn't really go to work. After the story, Jesus asks the priests and elders which son of the two did the father's will. They answer correctly, the first son. Then, Jesus had more to say to these priests and elders who didn't seem to care about the Son of God's words anyways.

Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

Matthew 21:31b-32

The way of righteousness was shown to both the priests and elders and the publicans and harlots. One group did not believe while the other did. One group did not repent, or confess their sins, while the other group did. The answer to what we learn on the faithful trail includes, among so much else, trusting and obeying our Heavenly Father's will.

The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: and the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executed his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Joel 2:10-13

Stay on the faithful trail and hear the veeries sing the joyful blessing bestowed from the word 'repent'.

WOODLAND SONG

Joyfully, joyfully, the feathered friends call,
the chickadees and grosbeaks and orioles all,
to sing a lyric melody at opening of day,
and start the winging choir, a-chirping all the way!
 
Over high, over there, beside the babbling brook,
the cardinals and veeries resound in every nook;
the drumming of the ruffed grouse, the cooing of the dove,
the tapping of the woodpecker that echoes high above!
 
“Yahweh God! Yahweh God!”, into the evening night,
hummingbirds and nuthatches turn in from their flight.
And in the final light of day, the robin sings her song.
What joy to hear the woodland birds sing praises all day long!

 

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Luke 1:46-47

 

 

WOODLAND SONG

The veeries are very glad, here in Veery Glade. And so am I. These deep-forest thrushes have returned to the woods. Their mystical, swirling tones lift my spirit and remind me to call on God in prayer. The robins, also thrushes, are equally vocal here in the woodland realm.

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Luke 1:48

We join with Mary, who knew she was blessed, in magnifying the Lord and rejoicing in spirit. Let the birds sing their full, lyrical song that Creator God is loving, rich in mercy, and compassionate.

The prophet Hosea gives a beautiful message of blessing gained from repentance. He was the prophet whom God instructed to marry an unfaithful prostitute. His marriage would ultimately show how God kept loving Israel despite the people's turning to other gods. In the last chapter of the book named after this man in the Bible, we read:

O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless find mercy.

Hosea 14:1-3

Israel had fallen by their iniquity and needed to come to their senses. There is a Bible verse that states that all of us have sinned and have fallen short of God's glory. But thanks be to God who provides the Great Physician and Savior. His Son, Jesus, heals. His Son, Jesus, saves.

Take with you words. There is another Bible verse that says the mouth speaks what the heart is full of, and even another about the power of the tongue. Words are powerful. Even as I write this post, I carefully consider my words. They are purposeful. I am deliberate, here on my blog, wishing to share a deliberate message.

Who can fix the sin problem that we all face? Can we remedy it ourselves before our Creator? Only Creator God, Giver of grace and mercy, Giver of eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ, provides the solution. Only those who realize their need and apply His solution are healed.

When we go to the LORD, let us prepare our words of repentance from keen awareness of our personal need.

So will we render the calves of our lips. Bull calves were sacrificed in the days when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness. The priests smeared the blood of the bulls on their finely-made garments that had been consecrated holy by God to make atonement in the Tent of Meeting. Blood was on God's glory, a foreshadowing of our beautiful Savior, Jesus Christ, the anointed, the Glorious One, being smeared with His own blood to satisfy God's wrath against the guilty. He is the only One able to save. And, to render something is to give. For example, money serves as a reward for services rendered. Jesus was rendered to us for salvation. In response, we give, or render, the sacrifice of our lips. In other words, we praise the LORD.

Freedom from sin is worth everything. 

Bondage to sin is worth nothing.

Asshur shall not save us. Assyria is a nearby nation and they also had a god named Ashur. When we realize only the true God can help us, we don't depend on anyone or anything else, including fabricated gods, riding on horses, or our own hard work. Mercy doesn't come from what we do for ourselves. Self-help is Satan. Self-help is against God. When a person relies on himself, there is no reliance on God. How can an independent, non-submissive sinner accept the remedy God provides?

I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.

Hosea 14:4-7

I will heal. How many people did Jesus heal when He walked on the planet? How many had faith? Miracle Healer. Great Physician. God is able to heal the disease of sin. Trust Him to do it.

Returning to God brings beauty and restoration. Repentance promises blessings. The bird's songs, here in the woodland glade, tell of God's love. They sing of growth, like the return of spring after the dead of winter, and beauty, like the majestic trees around the glade for all of them to rest on. God's sweet goodness is for the one who admits need to Him. They shall revive. Our local farmers are planting corn on their fields and hoping to reap a future bountiful harvest. When you're exhausted and lacking, isn't it refreshing to be revived? When the church flounders, isn't it wonderful to see it set sail with clear vision? When you're heart is heavy, isn't it soothed when lightened?

Cast forth his roots as Lebanon. Lebanon is north of Israel, or Ephraim, and often associated with beautiful cedar trees and white snow-capped mountains. Timber was used for the temple during King Solomon's time. Isaiah 60:13 speaks of the glory of Lebanon. Glory is promised to the one who calls on the LORD.

Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.

Hosea 14:8-9

As a result of turning to God and relying on Him, idols don't mean anything. What kinds of idols exist today? What things are loved, admired, and revered more than God? How about loving money? Or, boasting knowledge? Or, self-pride in accomplishments in school and the world? Or, following strange therapies and philosophies? Or, playing video games all day long? Or, convincing yourself and others you're already prefect in your own way and salvation is not needed? Or, your own personal time, space, and mirror? The list goes on of idols that take the place of a personal relationship with God.

Who is wise? The wise man built his house upon the rock. Wise people know Creator God is right. Even when judgment is declared through the book of Hosea (because God is the God of justice who makes correct decisions), the invitation to receive His offered grace is far more lovely than the sin that had abounded.

When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Mark 2:17

How gracious is our Savior to not force us but that we would willingly come! The whole have no need of Jesus. They have deceived themselves and are not called. Stop and listen. Hear the bird's woodland song. Admit need, because we are all sin-sick. Take the Great Physician up on His invitation to repent.