---------------
OUR DAILY BREAD             Sat., Aug. 26, 1995   
--------------- 
 
READ: Hosea 11 
 
                 
                   GOD'S GENTLE LEADING 
 
             "I drew them with gentle cords,  
                   with bands of love." 
 
                        -- Hosea 11:4  
It was a fascinating study in contrasts at the 
county fair.  A rugged rancher led his cattle into 
the corral with shouts, curses, and beatings.  The 
animals were wild-eyed and hard to manage. 
 
Then a girl of about 14 led her prize-winning cow 
in.  She spoke softly and reassuringly to the 
animal, stroking her and pulling gently on the 
rope.  The beautiful Holstein walked calmly into 
the pen. 
 
Hosea the prophet used farm imagery to describe how 
the Lord leads His people.  Referring to Israel's 
journey from captivity in Egypt, he said that God 
"drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love" 
(Hos. 11:4).  God had heard their anguished cries 
from Egypt.  He led them lovingly, as a farm girl  
leads her cherished colt or prized heifer, to the 
place of His blessing.  But that privileged  
relationship was about to change.  Because of 
Israel's obstinate refusal to follow the Lord, He 
was about to turn them over to those who would 
oppress them and treat them roughly. 
 
Thank God that He chooses to lead us with "bands 
of love."  The road we are traveling is often  
difficult, but His leading is gentle.  As we 
allow the quiet voice of the Spirit to apply God's 
word to our hearts, we will be content. 
 
                        -- David C. Egner 
 
        God holds the future in His hands 
        With grace sufficient day by day; 
        Through good or ill He gently leads, 
          If we but let Him have His way. 
 
                        -- Rohrs 
------------------------------------------ 
           THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 
------------------------------------------ 
           God never leads you 
    where His grace will not keep you. 
------------------------------------------ 
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Jeremiah 27-29

=============================================================
Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1995, used by permission of Radio 
Bible Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555, USA. ODB files are 
being archived at ICLnet by arrangement with Radio Bible 
Class. RBC is presently developing its own servers and we 
look forward to RBC's official presence here on the internet 
in the near future. Written permission to distribute must be
obtained from Radio Bible Class. RBC provides a variety of 
Bible resources, which are free of charge. RBC is not funded 
by any group or denomination, and support comes voluntarily 
from its Members and Friends. Write for more information, or 
call 1-800-598-7221.

Thanks to Ken Foster for establishing the email list from 
which this copy of Our Daily Bread originated. A subscription 
is also available from the "ODB List".

RBC publications are also available at The Gospel Communica-
tions Network: http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/odb/.

- ICLnet
=============================================================


-------------------------------------------------------
file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db950826.txt

.