Tag: amazing love
The Adulterous Wife
Scripture reading for September 4: Hosea 1-3
Hosea was a unique prophet called by God to let his whole life, his marriage, and his children be a prophetic word to God’s people. Hosea was told by God to marry an adulterous woman named Gomer. God’s plan was to show Israel how they behaved toward Him and give them a visual picture of His love for them. (Hosea 1:2) The children’s names also were prophetic and would remind the people of the consequences of their sins. God’s ways are often above our ways and He will go to great lengths to reach His people. Those whom He called to be His prophets had to be willing to obey His instructions, even in their personal lives. We are not our own, we are bought with a price! (1st Corinthians 6:19-20)
Hosea married Gomer and took her as his wife. She conceived and bore him a son. The Lord told Hosea to call the son “Jezreel”, because He was going to punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel and put an end to the kingdom of Israel. (Hosea 1:4) Gomer also had two daughters and they were also named by the Lord. One was Lo-Ruhamah which meant “no love left” and the other was “Lo-Ammi” which meant “not my people”. God was telling the Israelites about a coming judgment on their nation because of their sins of idolatry and spiritual adultery. He wanted them to be reminded every time they saw the prophet and his family of their own state and through those children’s names. (Hosea 1:4-8)
As I reflect on this story, I am reminded we are just like Gomer in our ways. We have been in spiritual adultery and unfaithful to God in many ways. We have not obeyed His command to be filled with His Spirit and to go out into the world and be His witnesses. We have run after other gods of pleasure and ease instead of wholeheartedly keeping ourselves for Him. Just as Gomer ran after other lovers who offered her food, and clothes and drinks, so we have not walked faithfully before our God. (Hosea 2:5-6) We have not recognized that God is the real provider of all the good things that we have and instead have used them to serve ourselves instead of Him. (Hosea 2:8)
However, as Hosea was commanded to take back his unfaithful wife and buy her back from the slave market, so God has done the same for us! (Hosea 3:1-2) He died for us in payment for our sins and deliverance from slavery to demonstrate His love for us! (Romans 5:8) Hosea did tell Gomer to leave her life of adultery and live free from that bondage and he would live with her. God tells us to depart from sin and live a holy life. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord! (1st Peter 1:14-15) Are you ready? Your loving Husband could come today!
The Amazing Love of God!
Scripture reading for February 5th: Exodus 13-15, Psalm 114, Ephesians 3
Key Scriptures: Exodus 15:11-13 “”Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? You stretched out Your right hand; the earth swallowed them. You have lead in Your steadfast love the people who you have redeemed; You have guided them by Your strength to Your holy abode.”
The Israelites had left Egypt, loaded with silver and gold. on an appointment to worship their Lord. This was a result of God’s awesome wonders of judgment. As they journeyed through the wilderness, the Egyptians had a change of heart and followed them to bring them back into captivity. As He promised, God opened a way for His people through the Red Sea. The Egyptians were all drowned as the parted waters came back on them! The Israelites celebrated God’s amazing love!
Psalm 114:7 “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, . .”
Faith Confession and prayer: I stand in awe of Your great love and amazing power used to deliver Your people. “Who is like You, O Lord among gods?” is on my lips! I ask You to continually reveal the height and depth of Your love as I worship You alone!
Ephesians 3:16-19 “. . .that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”