The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Hosea 6-9
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 6:Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people.
Background Information: Hosea 6-9
The Lord is as faithful as the spring rain that he sends, that leads to abundant crops, but the love of the people is as fickle as a morning dew that quickly disappears without lasting fruit. Hosea 6:6 is a key to understanding the book:
“For I desire faithful love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
Knowledge of God in Hosea is not intellectual information, but a personal, transformational relationship. The people were willing to give God token offerings and ceremonial sacrifices, but they were blended with the worship of idols and rebellion against the clear Word of God. The sacrifices and ceremonies were never meant to be an end in themselves; they were always a means to the greater end of turning hearts and minds to God. Jesus quoted this verse twice (Matthew (9:13, 12:7) when he rebuked the religious leaders of his day for putting ceremony and image management over love for God and others. Jesus said that he was greater than the Temple and the Sabbath, which both pointed to the need for a faith relationship with him. Another key to understanding the book is Hosea 8:7:
“Indeed, they sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.”
This verse has become the title of many books and a key phrase in political speeches, but the meaning in context helps us understand God’s judgment on Israel and serves as a warning for us. Israel had turned from God to foreign nations for protection. This wind of their faithless rebellion turned into a tornado of destruction as those nations came to destroy Israel. As we read, we should be terrified to think that in spite of all that God has done for us, we too could turn away from him. We must not fear that God will turn away from us; he will not. We must see to it that we don’t turn away from him. If we turn from him, we are on our own and will live the results of life apart from God. One key to a faithful finish is to walk daily in the presence of faithful friends. Turn to those friends today and seek to encourage and be encouraged toward ongoing faithfulness.
“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.”
Hebrews 3:12-14 (NIV)
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Ask God to give you an awareness of those in your life who are lost. Pray for friends, neighbors, family, and co-workers who do not know Christ. Pray that they would see their sin and know they need a Savior. Pray that they would turn to Christ.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.