“I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love…” (Hos. 11:4).
This verse shows us the compassionate side of the Lord in His dealings with us mortals. He draws us with gentle cords and with bands of love. Like the great lover He is, He woos us closer and closer to Himself. He leads us, not by severity, but with tenderness.
When I was growing up in church, I can remember hearing all the horror stories of how God takes out His fierce anger upon all those who are in rebellion against Him. Such stories are uncomplimentary to the nature of our loving heavenly Father. They make it appear that God is out to “get” people.
Too often, the Lord is portrayed as vindictive and relentless in His determination to reduce to dust and grind to powder anyone who dares to resist Him.
The point of these stories seems to be that when all resistance against the Lord is finally crushed, the agonizing soul totally surrendered and thoroughly chastened, then and only then will the Lord have mercy and turn away His anger.
Growing up with such a concept of God did not help me to understand Him, His nature, or His attributes. It was a welcome relief to me to discover in Scripture that it is the goodness of God – not His wrath – that leads men to repentance.
It is as though the Lord is saying to us through this verse: “You are getting closer to Me every day. Not because I am laying on you terrible diseases, horrible accidents, traumatic losses, debilitating financial reversals, and crushing personal failures. Rather, you are coming near to Me because I am drawing you with gentle cords and bands of love.”
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.