Take words with you and return to the Lord

Take words with you and return to the Lord

Scripture: Return, Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall!  Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. Hosea 14:1-2

I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. Hosea 14:4

Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them. Hosea 14:9

Observation: The first Scripture is a call to Israel to return to the Lord. Just as the sins were Israel’s downfall, so too sins will be our downfall if we persist in it. Like Israel, sinners who have turned away are asked to “take words with them” and return to the Lord. God has given us a mouth for a purpose, to communicate. He has made us relational beings, being able to have meaningful conversations with each other through words. And our mouths are an important tool in communicating with God. If we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved. Profession and declaration is a very important part in our relationship with God. He even gave us the gift of tongues through the Holy Spirit to help us speak when we don’t know what to say. We worship Him with our mouths and God loves to hear our praises. We are forgiven so that we may offer our sacrifice of praise to God.

The second Scripture speaks of God healing Israel’s waywardness and loving them freely. Our hearts are naturally deceitful, and has a strong tendency towards waywardness. It is for us to come humbly before the Lord, and bring our hearts to Him that He may change it and mould it for His glory. The Scripture speaks of God taking away our heart of stone and giving us a heart of flesh. The heart touched by the Lord has a new compassion and purpose never seen in a person before.

The third Scripture tells us that those who are wise and discerning know that the ways of the Lord are right and that the righteous walk in them. How do we know the ways of the Lord? By studying the Scriptures.

Application: Thank God for giving us a mouth to say words, to communicate with Him and praise Him. Resolve to use our mouth often for His glory, to praise His name, to give good testimony, to worship Him. Surrender our hearts to God, asking Him to mould it to His likeness. Resolve to grow deep in the Word.

Prayer: Thank You, Father Lord, for the mouth You have given me to praise Your name. Let the words of my mouth be pleasing to You O Lord. Let praises always be found on my mouth as Your Spirit lives in me. Take my heart O Lord, and mould it more like You. Give me a fresh desire to grow deep in Your Word, which holds the secrets of eternal life. Praise Your holy name. In Jesus name, Amen.

They became proud, then they forgot Me.

They became proud, then they forgot Me.

Scripture:- “But I have been the LORD your God ever since you came out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me. I cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of burning heat. When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me. Hosea 13:4-6

Observation:-  The salvation of Israel is a type of picture of the salvation of a Christian. Egypt represents the world. While Israel was in slavery to the Egyptians, all of us were slaves to sin, born into sin even from birth. Israel was delivered from the Egyptians through a series of mighty miracles. God saved them so that they would be a special people set apart unto Him. They were not to serve any other gods but only the living God. Once we received Jesus Christ into our hearts as Lord and Savior, we were set free from slavery to sin and set apart to be holy unto God.

The purpose of our salvation is to be set apart only for God alone. There are to be no other gods in our life. God is to be our number 1 priority in all things. Many profess to be Christians but worship the gods of money, entertainment, and selfish indulgence. Some continue to trust in their own works, perhaps their own wealth. We have no Savior except Jesus. There is nothing we can do, or anything we own that can grant us salvation. Only the Lord can, in His mercy, and He accepts all who repent and humble come to Him.

The wilderness, the land of burning heat was a severe place of testing for the Israelites. There was danger from the elements, danger from starvation and danger from enemies. Yet in spite of their difficulties, they could always count on the Lord who was with them, in a pillar of cloud by day and a fire by night. The Lord does not promise to take us away from challenging or difficult circumstances but He promises to be there with us whenever we face them.

When God solved their problems, the Israelites became proud and they forgot about the Lord. This is also typical of us. When things are going well, and there are no problems, there is a tendency to become proud and beginning to think we are better than we ought. We need always to be on guard against pride and remember the Lord always.

Application: Thank God for saving us from our sins. Resolve in our hearts to always put him first, to have no other gods in our lives. In times of testing, have faith that the Lord is with us and lean on His presence. Always be on watch against thinking we are better or deserve better than others, for therein lies pride.

Prayer: Father God, I thank You and praise You for You sent Your Son Lord Jesus Christ to die for me on the cross that I might be set free from slavery to sin. I know Lord that I am saved for a purpose, to be set apart for You, to put You first in everything. Help me O Lord, always put You first. Thank You, Lord, for the many times you delivered me from trouble. May Your name be praised forever. Let not selfish pride be found in I pray. In Jesus name, Amen.

Wait for your God always

Wait for your God always

Scripture: In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel; as a man he struggled with God. He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favor. He found him at Bethel and talked with him there— the LORD God Almighty, the LORD is his name! But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always. The merchant uses dishonest scales and loves to defraud. Ephraim boasts, “I am very rich; I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin.”  Hosea 12:3-8

Observation: This passage of Scripture first brings us to remember the life of the patriarch Jacob. In the womb, he grasped his brother’s heel, and as a man he struggled with God. The picture given to us is of a man who always desires for more in life. In his mother’s womb, Jacob was not content to be second but wanted to be first. When he struggled with God, he would not let go but wept and begged for favor. Jacob was not a perfect man. He had many weaknesses and started off life in Esau’s shadow. Yet the Lord chose him. The Lord even blessed him with divine fellowship at Bethel. Jacob was the opportunist who took Esau’s birthright in his moment of weakness, the master trickster who tricked his own father and the strategist who outwitted his Uncle Laban. Yet in spite of all these, God in His grace chose to build Israel through him. Esau from young depended on his own strength. He had no need for God, and God could never use him. On the other hand, Jacob, despite his weaknesses honored God.

Jacob is a picture of us today. We too are not perfect, perhaps some of us even walk with a limp. However, God is dealing with us, blessing us, and moving us into His ways all in His good time.

Hosea then gives three things that we must do. Firstly, we must return to our God. Perhaps some of us have fallen away, ensnared by the temptations of the world. We have to get out and come back to God. God always welcomes and forgives the repentant sinner like the father welcomed the prodigal son.

Secondly, we are to maintain love and justice. There is no true love without justice. Love is something that has to be maintained, cultivated. We walk in love by having fellowship with the Lord. We love because the Lord loves us. God is a God of love, yet He is also a God of justice. Sin must be punished. Judgment is God’s way of refining the world, of creating a people that will be loyal to Him and follow in His ways. To those who receive Jesus as Lord and Savior and follow in His ways, their sins are forgiven, nailed to the cross. However, for those who persist in sinful ways, there will be wrath and judgment.

Thirdly, we are to wait for our God always. Waiting is a difficult discipline for many. Typically, we always want to be on the move, doing things, being efficient. However, to sit at the Lord’s feet and wait like Mary is a most blessed thing. It is good for us to learn to wait and write down what the Lord would say to us.

The last part of the passage highlights that the Lord’s eyes are on the corrupt, those who cheat others for personal gain. And there are also those who think they are pure because of their wealth. There is a stern warning there for us not to trust in our wealth and not to cheat others.                                                     

Application: Recognize that we are sinners like Jacob, and imperfect in many ways. Yet thank God that He reaches out to common people like us, who will humble ourselves and seek His salvation and blessing. Let us remember to always come back to God even if we have fallen away for a season. Let our lives be full of love and justice, and let us learn to wait for our God. His sweet presence and fellowship will surely come to those who wait for Him. Beware of trusting in wealth and cheating others which our Lord detests.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You for Your grace that You shower upon a sinner like me. I thank You that You look not upon my weaknesses, but upon my heart. Help me always come back to You, even if I fall. Let my lives be filled with love and justice. Teach me to wait for You that I might enjoy Your sweet presence. May Your name be praised forever. In Jesus name, Amen.

Like one who lifts a little child to the cheek

Like one who lifts a little child to the cheek

Scripture: It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. 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 11:3-4

Observation: The passage today gives us a beautiful picture of how God takes care of us. Picture a father holding a toddler by the hands, as the little child takes his first, few unstable steps. Imagine a mother tenderly putting a wet cloth on the forehead of a sleeping child who has a fever. Think of a father carrying his little daughter up to cheek height, the little one squealing with delight from being lifted so high off the ground. See in your mind’s eye a mother stooping to give a bottle of milk to her baby lying in her cot.

All these images give us an idea of how God takes care of us from young, teaching us, showing us love and kindness, delighting in us as parents delight in their children. It is God who created families as they are – the little ones in their cute forms from young and the parents with strength and abilities to take care of little ones. Every time we see a father holding his son’s hand, a mother feeding her young, parents laughing with their children, we see a picture of how God loves us and watches over us and takes care of us. When we delight in little children, we get a glimpse of how our Almighty delights in us. Everything in Him is good, perfect and holy. He has made things as they are according to His perfect wisdom. God created families to help us know Him more. He even uses family terms to introduce Himself to us. Father, Son. In the church we too are as if in a family, calling each other brother, sister.

Like the sleeping, sick child who does not know his mother watches over him and tends him back to full health, God always watches over us, even when we do not know it. As the song goes “Where would I be if you would not be by my side? How could I live to meet the rising of the day, Your tender mercy always calling from behind, at times I could not see, even though You were close by”.

Application: Praise God for His great love to us. Whenever we see families taking care of each other, enjoying each other’s fellowship, praise God and remember that this is God’s way of showing us how He loves us. Thank God that He watches over us even when we do not realize it, and He preserves us even when we are not aware of His presence.

Prayer: Praise You, O Heavenly Father, for Your great perfect love towards us. You introduced families so that we might know You more. Help me love my own family I pray, and help me see that in loving each other, we know You so much more. Thank You for always being with me, even when I did not know. You are so precious to Me, O Lord. May Your name be praised forever. In Jesus name, Amen.

It is time to seek the Lord

It is time to seek the Lord

Scripture: Ephraim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh; so I will put a yoke on her fair neck. I will drive Ephraim, Judah must plow, and Jacob must break up the ground. Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you. Hosea 10:11-12

Observation: In this passage, we are given the picture of God’s people likened to oxen plowing the ground. A heifer threshing the grain gives us the idea of contentment and luxury as threshing was not very hard work for a young ox and it was free to eat freely from the grain as commanded in Deuteronomy 25:4 Do not muzzle and ox when it is treading out the grain. In contrast, the plowing and breaking up of the ground was very hard work, yet without it, the crop would not be able to grow at all.

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus depicted the hearts of men like soil and God’s Word like the seed. Some seed fell on the path, some among rocky places and some among thorns. But only those seed that fell on good soil produced a crop, a 100, 60 or 30 times what was sown. Now typically, good soil refers to soil that has been plowed. Observe the definition of the purpose of plowing sourced from Wikipedia:- “The primary purpose of plowing is to turn over the upper layer of the soil, bringing fresh nutrients to the surface, while burying weeds and the remains of previous crops, allowing them to break down. It also aerates the soil, and allows it to hold moisture better.” A proud heart is like hard soil. The proud resists God and depend on their own strength. The humble, soft hearts and the broken and contrite hearts seek God  and the Lord is near to them. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God. Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.

When we humbly seek the Lord, He comes to us, and showers His righteousness on us. He crowns the humble with salvation, as the Psalmist writes. 

Jesus also used the picture of plowing in Matthew 11:28-30 ”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” When we believe in Jesus, when we come humbly to our Master, He gives us rest. He deals with our hearts gently and we find that as we spend more and more time with Jesus, change comes easily and we become more and more like Him. It is not our vain efforts or human works that makes us better, but rather the closeness of our relationship with Jesus that improves us.

Application: Hold the image of the unplowed ground in our minds. Seek God humbly, asking Him to change us, to break up the fallow ground and make it fresh and moist, open to receive and learn from His Word. Let our hearts always be humble and contrite before the Lord. Seek a deeper relationship with Jesus day by day. It is by knowing Him, that life becomes so much easier, as His presence goes with us to help us day by day.

Prayer: Father God, I bring my heart before you. Mould it, change it, make it like Your Son’s. Forgive my pride O Lord, let humility and peace dwell in my heart I pray. Lord Jesus, be so real in my life I pray. Draw me to seek Your gentle presence day by day. Teach me Your ways, and refresh me anew. Bless You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

The prophet, along with my God, is the watchman

The prophet, along with my God, is the watchman

Scripture: The days of punishment are coming, the days of reckoning are at hand. Let Israel know this. Because your sins are so many and your hostility so great, the prophet is considered a fool, the inspired person a maniac. The prophet, along with my God, is the watchman over Ephraim, yet snares await him on all his paths, and hostility in the house of his God Hosea 9:7-8

Observation: The passage today speaks of the days of punishment to come upon Israel, when the days of reckoning are at hand. Whenever judgment is proclaimed upon Israel and the warning that basically says “time’s up”, it is a reminder for us in general that the Day of Judgment is likewise very close for the world. When Jesus began His ministry, He declared “Repent, for the kingdom of God is near”. How much more so this warning applies to us, in these last days when so many end time signs are being fulfilled before our eyes.

Why did Israel have to fear? Because her sins were so many. In Genesis, we see how God prophesied to Abraham that his fourth generation would come back and conquer the land when the sins of the Amorites had reached its full measure. By this we know that there once a measure of sin is reached for a particular nation, judgment will come. According to God’s grace and wisdom, this will vary from nation to nation, person to person. However, the warning for us is to beware greatly of treating sin lightly and blatantly continuing in a sin when we know it is wrong. Who knows whether we will have time to repent before our life is called of us?

God also mentioned in particular Israel’s hostility. A hostile person is someone who gets angry easily, who will not hesitate to quarrel and fight with others for little reason. How different is the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. We must be careful not to become a hostile person, whether at work, in the car, or at home. Just as Jesus is the Prince of Peace, we too are to be a peaceful people, even in our dealings with the hostile.

The Scripture further mentions that in that time, the prophet was considered a fool and an inspired person a maniac. A prophet is one who brings messages from God, who teaches others according to God’s Word. In the end times, it is true that those who serve God will also be persecuted like the prophets of old. Yet Jesus tells us in the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The portion of Scripture that reads “the prophet, along with my God, is the watchman over Ephraim” is especially interesting. This shows us that when we serve God, He is with us. We are not alone. God is with us. Just as God is the watchman, we are the watchman. Wherever we go, our place of work, our family, our Cell Group, our Church, we are akin to watchmen there. We do well to look out for those we have been called to, to pray for them, to intercede for them.

Application:- Recognize that God judges sin, and though He forgives those who repent and believe in His son, we must beware lest sin become so dominant in our lives that we completely lose sight of salvation. Examine our hearts to see if hostility has become present, perhaps due to bitterness, hurt or disappointment. Ask God to give us a new heart, a compassionate heart inspired by the Holy Spirit. Where some of us are persecuted because of our faith, do not lose heart, but remember the prophets as our encouragement. Know that God is with us, working together with us as we serve Him always.

Prayer: Father God, I thank You that You are just yet merciful. Turn my sins away from me I pray. Create in me a new heart that seeks Your Spirit and Your holiness. Forgive the times when I have been hostile. Let me exhibit more and more the fruit of Your Spirit, love, peace and gentleness. When I am persecuted, let me not be ashamed but I will continue to hope in You. Thank You that You are ever with me, and You will not leave me alone. Bless You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

They regarded my law as something foreign

They regarded my law as something foreign

Scripture: “Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, these have become altars for sinning. I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something foreign. Though they offer sacrifices as gifts to me, and though they eat the meat, the LORD is not pleased with them. Now he will remember their wickedness and punish their sins: They will return to Egypt. Hosea 8:11-13

Observation: In this passage, we see three main areas where Ephraim has failed before the Lord.

Firstly, it is written that Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, but the altars have become altars for sinning. In the New Testament context, altars are akin to churches, sanctuaries, places where people worship God. How do we sin at church? Some may come to church with an unrepentant heart. There may be some areas in our lives which we know is sinful but just can’t give up. Yet we come to church and perform the functions without any true change in our lives. It is telling that the term “hypocrite” is very commonly used to define Christians. Church is not a social club or convenient meeting place. It is a most holy place, and we need to come to the Lord with reverence, always with a desire for the Lord to be more and more real in our lives.

Secondly, it is written that Ephraim considered God’s law as something foreign. What is our attitude towards God’s Word? Do our actions show that we treat it as something foreign? The Bible should be something very familiar to us. We need to learn to delight in it like David did. Psalm 119:97 says “O how I love your law, I meditate on it all day long”. Psalm 112:1 says “Praise the Lord. Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands”. If we do not love the Bible, it is as if we do not truly love God, for that is the primary way with which He speaks to us.

Thirdly, it is written that Ephraim’s sacrifices did not please the Lord. Eating the meat of the sacrifice symbolizes having fellowship with the Lord. Why was the Lord not pleased? Because Ephraim’s heart was still bent on sin. In Hosea 6:6, the Lord says “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” We show mercy by being kind to others, by helping the poor, which is what God delights in. We acknowledge God by keeping ourselves away from sin. James puts it quite clearly in James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Mercy and acknowledging God by aiming for holiness.

Application: Let us go to church with a reverent and repentant heart, seeking to meet with God, and let Him change us to be more and more like Jesus. Pray for God to give us a fresh love for His Word. Ask Him to open the Word to us that we might learn many things. Pray for a heart of compassion to help others, and acknowledge God by keeping away from sin.

Prayer: Father God, forgive me for the times I have gone to Your house with an irreverent attitude, and even treated my sins nonchalantly as I entered Your presence. Change me O Lord, as I continue to seek You. Let me grow in greater love for You. Let me learn to love Your precious Word O Lord, let my eyes be open to see the many beautiful things You say to me. Give me a heart of compassion for others that I might help the needy, and lead me away from sin I pray. In Jesus name, Amen.

They do not realize that I remember all their evil deeds.

They do not realize that I remember all their evil deeds.

Scripture:- the sins of Ephraim are exposed and the crimes of Samaria revealed. They practice deceit, thieves break into houses, bandits rob in the streets; but they do not realize that I remember all their evil deeds. Their sins engulf them; they are always before me Hosea 7:1-2

Observation:- Ephraim and Samaria sinned before the Lord. Two sins mentioned in this passage are deceit (lying and falsehood) and theft. Actually, three of the ten commandments are broken here. “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor” speaks against lying and deceit. “You shall not steal” is clear enough. “You shall not covet” is broken because the thief must have coveted the things they went to steal. When Jesus came, He gave an even higher expectation of the law. If we even look lustfully at a woman, we have already committed adultery with her in our hearts. If we are angry with our brother, we are already as good as killing him. Many of us do not have a strong conviction of sin. Though we call ourselves Christians, many of us treat sin flippantly. Why be so worried with an extra sin or two if it will be forgiven anyway? When we think like that, it shows our attitude to sin.

We feel we are saved when we repent of our sins and believe in Jesus to save us. However, do we really know what it means to repent of our sins? To repent means to change our mind, to turn around 180 degrees, to turn away from sinful ways. Without true repentance, there is no true meaning in our Christian lives. It is hypocrisy, and we know it. Being saved and sinning all we want? It doesn’t make sense. Those who are truly saved hate sin. In Romans 12:9, Paul says “hate what is evil, cling to what is good”. Remember how Jesus warned at judgment day, there will be those who come to him saying “Lord, Lord” and He will say to them “I never knew you. Away from me, you evil-doers”. If we say we are Christians but still live in sin, do we not fear that we will be counted among the goats and rejected by Jesus? Galatians 5:19-21 says “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” This is Paul talking to Christians. Revelation 21:8 is even more terrifying. “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Are we liars? Do we continue to practice deceit without any guilt? Beware the fiery lake! God has made a way for us to escape, but we must get on the boat and do our best to stay there. Flirting with sin is like putting a hand or a leg in the water. Who knows when we might fall in and fail to find our boat again?  

Now as long as we are in this world, we are still not yet perfect, and in our weakness, we do fall, we do sin. However, this is not an excuse. The genuine converts in the early church, and even those today experience a radical change in their lives. Tax collectors paid back those they had cheated. Those who smoke and get drunk, do so no longer. Those who are prone to fits of rage become gentle. No one is perfect, but those in Christ we are getting better and better, moving on from glory to glory. The point is that we must never become desensitized to sin. A sinner trapped in an addiction may fall in again and again out of human weakness, but he hates the sin, he wants to get out, as he perseveres and calls on Jesus, he will be set free finally but he must not give up. The Pharisees thought they were well saved but lived in greed, pride and covetousness. Pride prevents us from repenting. We need to be humble and stay close to Jesus, to be open to Him and let the Holy Spirit work in us to make us more and more like Jesus.

Application: Search ourselves to see if there is any sin in us that we are still clinging on to. Surrender it to Jesus, ask for His help to cure us, and make us new. Be open to God, and desire to be more and more like Jesus. Constantly, we need to make an effort to turn away from the things of the world, and look towards Jesus and seek God’s face.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times when I have made sin so flippant, and not giving full reverence to Your precious death for me. Let sin never be desensitized in my heart. Let Your Holy Spirit convict me, and lead me to Your paths of righteousness. Open my eyes where I am deceived. Give me a new heart that I might seek You. Let Your presence be so real in my life I pray, O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

He will bind up our wounds

He will bind up our wounds

Scripture: “Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:1-3

Observation: At the beginning of this chapter, we see the prophet Hosea call the people to repentance, to return to the Lord, who will be faithful to heal and restore those who return to Him.

The word “repent” in the Greek means to change one’s mind, and in Hebrew, to “turn around”. When we return to the Lord, it involves firstly a change in one’s mind and then the firm outward action to turn away from a previous course and move towards God. We cannot have one leg in two boats. True repentance involves a concrete, sure commitment to follow Jesus as Master and Lord. Many try to get the best of both worlds, but to follow God is to turn away from sin. When Jesus forgave the sinful women, he instructed her to leave her life of sin.

Many times, when things go smoothly and there is much success in the world, we tend to forget God and rely on our own strength. It is not until the pressures of life get to us and there is no where else to turn to that we remember God, and turn back to Him. Still, in spite of our human weakness, God is kind and just. He brings healing to those who seek Him, and binds up their wounds both physical and emotional. Some of us have deep emotional wounds even from childhood but God is able to heal us completely. We need only believe that He will do it. The Psalmist says “He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds”. God is interested in bringing us whole healing, mental, emotional, physical, spiritual. When Jesus healed the leper, He reached out and touched him. The physical contact was part of Jesus healing him emotionally. Jesus went on to ask him to show himself to the priest to validate his healing from leprosy. Jesus was concerned that the leper would be healed socially as well. The Lord watches over every area of our lives.

What is the purpose of the Lord reviving and restoring us? It is so that we may live in His presence. Our God is a God of fellowship. He created us to have fellowship with Him. He walked in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. That was His desire from the beginning. Our aim in life should always to draw closer in fellowship with the Lord. That is where we find true purpose and meaning in life.

Hosea goes further to ask us to acknowledge the Lord, to press on to acknowledge Him. Sometimes it is hard to constantly be aware of the Lord’s presence and principles throughout the day. We need to press on, to not give up, but push forward as we seek God and His reality in our lives day by day!

The last verse speaks of God’s amazing faithfulness. Every rising of the sun, every gentle rain is a reminder to us of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness. Let us never forget to praise Him.

Application: Let us examine ourselves that we are in a state of repentance towards the Lord, having our minds and hearts turned towards God, and away from the worldly things of the earth. Some of us need healing! Believe that God is our Mighty God who heals the broken hearted and binds up our wounds. Declare and believe, and hope in our Lord. Know that we are created to have fellowship with God. Seek to have ever closer relationship with Him. Press on to acknowledge the Lord in every area of our lives, to let Him permeate our very being. Thank God for His amazing faithfulness and His mercies that are new every morning.

Prayer: Lord, may my heart and mind always be turned towards You. Keep me away from wayward things I pray. Heal me O Lord, for You are my Great Healer, who binds up my wounds and heals the brokenhearted. Let me grow ever closer in fellowship with You as I seek to know You more. Help me press on towards You. Let Your presence be so real in my life. Praise You, Lord for Your amazing love and faithfulness that is truly new every morning. In Jesus name, Amen.

Their deeds do not permit them

Their deeds do not permit them

Scripture: “Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. A spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the LORD. Israel’s arrogance testifies against them; the Israelites, even Ephraim, stumble in their sin; Judah also stumbles with them. When they go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, they will not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them. Hosea 5:4-6

Observation: In Hosea 5, the Lord continues his discourse against the people of Israel and even Ephraim. It is written that their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. The description of the deeds here show continuous sinful actions. If we continue to sin and stay stubbornly in sinful ways, how can we come to God? If we repent and come humbly to God, He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. However, we are saved not to continue in sinful ways, but to live new lives in obedience to God and in His ways. Jesus said “Remain in Me and I will remain in you.”. We have to remain in Jesus by obedience. We are not saved by works, we are totally saved by the great mercy and grace of God alone. Yet, we are saved unto good works. There is a purpose for our salvation, to become changed to become more and more like Jesus as we look forward to His coming again. Grace is not a license to sin, but a call to live holy lives for Jesus. We cannot be completely perfect in this sinful world, but our goal, our direction is always towards Jesus and His holiness. It can be a struggle, especially in sinful environments, but we are called to forget what is behind and press on, to persevere, to remain in Jesus and seek the final crown of salvation He has prepared for us.

The spirit of prostitution in the hearts of the Israelites is a lustful spirit. It led them to forsake the Lord and indulge in sexual immorality like the pagans around them. The Scriptures warns us of how very dangerous this is, and tells us to “flee from sexual immorality”. We cannot stay and hope to withstand this particular temptation. We have to get away quickly lest we fall.

The Israelites did not acknowledge the Lord. In Psalm 10:4, it is written, “In his pride, the wicked does not seek God. In all his thoughts, there is no room for God”. God is to be constantly in our minds throughout the day. What we think, what we do, what we say. God’s presence should always permeate us.

Moreover, the Israelites were arrogant. God hates arrogance. The arrogant cannot hope to seek God. His eyes are on the humble, the lowly, those who bow down before Him and hope in Him. Esau, the typical picture of the self-made, arrogant, powerful man could not please God. Jacob, despite his faults, humbled himself before God.

Application: We must not continue in deeds of sin. Where we are sinful, the Holy Spirit calls us to repent, and live life anew seeking to follow God’s ways. In all things, beware the spirit of prostitution and sexual immorality which cannot be underestimated. Flee from such circumstances of temptation.

In all our ways, acknowledge God. Keep the Lord in our minds throughout the day, seeking to please Him with our actions and words. Beware of arrogance and keep our hearts humble towards the Lord and to others.

Prayer: Lord, where I have sinned, forgive me. Lead me away from constant sin I pray. Let my heart always acknowledge you, let me be aware of Your presence throughout each day. Protect me from sin O Lord, especially from sexual immorality. Help me be humble and not think of myself more highly than I ought, but rather with good favor towards all I meet. Bless You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge

My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge

Scripture: My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6

Observation: The passage today highlights one very important truth. People are destroyed from lack of knowledge. What is the main purpose of the Bible? It is to give knowledge to the people created by God so that they will know what is right and what they should do. Thus we are reminded again that we are to give close attention towards studying the Bible, and finding out what God requires of us and what is important to Him.

For years, men lived very short lives because of lack of knowledge about hygiene and lack of knowledge about medicine. Spiritually, there are so many with lack of knowledge of the truth, and therefore live in darkness. Jesus said that those who hold to His teaching will know the truth, and the truth will set them free. 

The Bible tells us that sin brings death and judgment and this is perpetuated through the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the remedy is clear - salvation from sin by believing in Jesus Christ. The Bible shows us what God is like, how great and faithful and loving He is. Yet it also shows us that those who continue to sin will perish amidst terrible judgment. The Bible even tells us what will happen in the last days, when great trouble will come upon the earth. Yet, those who are loyal to God and to His Son will receive a great inheritance after this time passes.

Application: Even we who think we are mature in Christ can be destroyed by lack of knowledge if we do not persevere in being grounded in the Word. In the last days, many will be easily swayed by wayward teachings, which have an appearance of godliness but are not of God. We need to search the Scriptures like the Bereans of old who looked to see if what the apostles said were true. Regular Bible Study in groups as well as personal quiet time is a fundamental cornerstone of growing strong and steady in the Lord. In all things let us pray to God for wisdom and knowledge, who gives generously to all without finding fault (James 1)

Prayer: Father God, there is so much I do not know, O how much I need Your wisdom. Open my eyes to learn more and more from Your Word, and give me a Spirit of Perseverance and Delight as I look to know You more and more. Protect us from wayward teachings and strengthen our fellowships in the Word where iron sharpens iron. May Your name be praised forever. In Jesus name, Amen.   

Show your love again

Show your love again

Scripture:- The LORD said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.”

So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you.”

For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days. Hosea 3:1-5

Observation:- In this beautiful chapter of Hosea, we see Hosea being commanded to take back his wayward wife again, even spending great expense to bring her back. This picture foreshadows the promise of God to Israel that He will one day bring them back again when they return to seek Him in the last days and they will be blessed under the rule of the Son of David, Jesus Christ.

Humanly speaking, it seems almost impossible to take back a partner who has willingly gone into prostitution or committed adultery again and again. Moreover, Hosea was to love her as the Lord loves the Israelites. This passage speaks of a love and forgiveness so deep we simply cannot comprehend it. However, this truly shows us how great is the love of our God, who forgives our sins, even when we have hurt Him by turning away from Him. We love because God first loved us 1 John 4:19. Many marriages break down today all over the world, and there is a lot of hurt and bitterness. However, through Hosea, God is also showing us, if Hosea can still love his wife again, we too can still love our spouse, no matter how much we have been hurt, no matter how much we feel we have been betrayed. Our love is not from human effort, but from the great love of God that He lavishes upon us, and allows to overflow out of us for others.

“Loving her as the Lord loves the Israelites” is very similar to Paul’s command later on for husbands to love their wives as the Lord loves His church. It is a very high standard of love that we are called to. It is not a selfish love, but a deep love hoping for the very best for the other in spite of the circumstances.

In spite of this, we see here too that there is a purpose and a goal for the restoration of Gomer. She is bought back and forgiven for a reason – to turn from her wicked ways and be with her husband for many days, in fellowship and love. We too are saved not to go back to our own ways and continue sinning. We are saved to walk in close fellowship with God and to serve and honor Him.

The prophecy for Israel has come true in that they were without a national leader for almost 2,000 years, having been scattered all over the world for much of modern history. Still in recent times, since 1948, they have returned and established themselves once again as a nation, and at the coming of our Lord Jesus, they will be greatly blessed again.

Application:- We need to continually realize that we have a very high calling to love, just like God loves us. In every marriage, this call to love is even greater, for marriage itself is instituted by God as a beautiful picture of God’s love for us, His people. Sometimes it may take great humility, great forgiveness, great patience, but ultimately we are called to keep hoping, keep persevering and never give up on love.

At the same time, we need to remember that love has a purpose. It is not a blind, purposeless love, but a deep, meaningful love that hopes for the other to come back to close relationship and unity again.

Prayer: Father God, I thank You that You are the God of love. All that You do, All You have given us, speak of Your great love through all generations. May I learn to love too, not with my strength but from Your love that flows through me. May our loved ones know You more O Lord, help us ever hope for them. Lead us in the way everlasting we pray. In Jesus name, Amen.

Thornbushes

Thornbushes

Scripture:- Therefore I will block her path with thornbushes; I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way. She will chase after her lovers but not catch them; she will look for them but not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will go back to my husband as at first, for then I was better off than now.’ Hosea 2:6-7

“In that day I will respond,” declares the LORD— “I will respond to the skies, and they will respond to the earth; and the earth will respond to the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, and they will respond to Jezreel. I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’
I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’” Hosea 2:21-23

Observation: With the image of Hosea and his adulterous wife, God continues to liken Israel to such a woman, betraying her faithful God to run after the idols of the nations, even giving up her fine things for them. In spite of this, the Lord promises that one day, He will bring Israel back to Him again, and she will once again enjoy His choice blessing and precious fellowship.

The first passage speaks of God sending thornbushes to block Israel so that she cannot continue her adulterous ways. For us too, when we have turned away from the Lord or become too engrossed in the things of the world, sometimes He brings trouble or a problem to remind us that we need Him. It is said that one of the worst things that can happen is for God to let us have our own way as described in Romans 1 where the Lord “gave them over to the sinful desires of their hearts”. Whenever we face an obstacle or hindrance, we need to remember that it is time to stop and turn to the Lord humbly. He may be stopping us from a course of action for our own good, just like the Lord used a speaking donkey to stop Balaam from going to his death.

The second passage speaks of the Lord’s promise to restore the skies and the earth, to being blessings in food, wine and oil. Israel will be planted securely in the land and enjoy close fellowship with the Lord as His people. This promise is for us also, and though we may endure suffering for a little while now, we must always look forward to the new earth that the Lord will bring – an abundant time of pleasant provision, blessing and fellowship with our Lord.

Application:- Remember that if we face any trouble or hardship, it is a call for us to remember the Lord and to humbly seek Him for help. Thornbushes can be a time of learning for us as we realize more and more how much we need to depend on God. In all things, look forward to the restoration of the earth in the future when Jesus comes again and makes everything new. Even now, the Lord gives us His provision, His blessing and His fellowship. Let us treasure it as we wait for the fullness of His promise to come.

Prayer: Lord we thank You and praise You for all that You have given us. Indeed you have blessed us with more than what we need. Let Your presence always be with us and Your provision and blessing follow us. We will ever trust in You. In the day of trouble, we will call to You, for You O Lord will answer us. Praise You, O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen

Like the sand on the seashore

Like the sand on the seashore

Scripture: Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the LORD their God, will save them.” Hosea 1:7

“Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God.’ The people of Judah and the people of Israel will come together; they will appoint one leader and will come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel. Hosea 1:10-11

Observation: The book of Hosea tells us of the curious story of Hosea being called by God to marry a prostitute to be a living example to Israel who had turned away from their God. In the first chapter, the name of Hosea’s three children are called Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah and Lo-Ammi, meaning scattered, no mercy and not my people. Not many years later, this came true when the vicious Assyrian army came and defeated Israel, bringing the people into exile without mercy. In spite of this judgment that would take place, God nevertheless gives His children a picture of hope in latter times.

The first passage today looks at the Lord showing love to Judah and saving them. Indeed, Judah was saved from Assyria through a miraculous deliverance  when the Lord put to death 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp. The king of Judah at that time, King Hezekiah was a very godly king, and cried out to God for help at that time. Throughout her history, Judah was blessed with a few godly kings like King Asa, King Josiah, King Uzziah and King Jehoshaphat while Israel did not have any godly kings. The Psalmist says “But the Lord’s eyes are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love”. Psalm 33:18. Judah hoped in the Lord’s love and the Lord delivered them. Bow, sword, battle, horses and horsemen speak of men’s effort and physical might. Compared to the Lord’s great power, all these are nothing. He can flatten a mountain with an earthquake, or wipe out a whole army with a flood. Our job is to trust in God to save us. How he does it - let us leave to Him.

The second passage is a prophecy that the Israelites will be like the sand of the seashore. In Genesis 22:17, God had promised Abraham that his descendants would be like the sands of the seashore. God’s promises are irrevocable, and here, though Israel would suffer for a time in foreign lands, they would be exceedingly fruitful. Moreover, they would be called children of the living God again, and both Israel and Judah would be reunited under one leader, our Lord Jesus Christ. God’s in His faithfulness will fulfill every promise He has made. We also see here God’s mercy and redemption of His people, and His desire for unity among His people. Where His people were once scattered, shown no mercy and not called His, they would one day be reunited, enjoy God’s mercy and favor, and be called His own again!

Application: In all things, we are to hope in God’s unfailing love, like Judah did in a time of crisis. We do not know how God will work us, but we are to trust Him, and wait for His deliverance in due time. Praise God that His promises never fail, but He fulfills every one. Thank God for His great mercy and forgiveness for all who turn to Him. Pray for unity in Israel and in the church. How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.

Prayer: Father God, I praise You that You are unchanging, unfailing, and Your love endures forever. I will ever hope in You O Lord. Deliver Me I pray, in the day of trouble. Your promises never fail, You fulfill every one. I thank You for Your great mercy, for Your loving forgiveness. Let unity prevail O Lord in Israel, even in Your church, Lord Jesus. May we live in unity, in love, in hope, as Your coming draws near. Praise Your Holy name. In Jesus name, Amen.