SWHW Two Year Bible Reading Plan: March, Year 2Sample

Top Takeaway from Joni Stepp: 

Hosea, being a prophet called to personify what was happening between God and His chosen people, was called to take a wife of whoredom.  An unfaithful wife, running away from a good and faithful husband, to the things she thought would satisfy her. 

The story of Hosea is heartbreaking and uncomfortable to read.  I think when I read a story so vivid as this one, I want to say “Shame on the Israelites! What a good God they have to be turning to other lovers!” 

But could I read the text and instead look inward and say where have I played the Gomer?  Where have I turned to the things of this world?  Where have I turned to what filled me for a moment instead of the One who loved and paid for me for eternity?

We read chapters 5-9 of this story, and see over and over again how the people of Israel are stubborn, unrepentant, and deserving of every punishment coming their way. 

But God, much like Hosea, still runs after His people. God, much like Hosea, still loves Israel and will pay a price He didn't owe to redeem them. 

He will heal, He will be faithful, and He will keep His promise.

This story is one that should point our hearts towards repentance, but it is also a story that should lead us to worship.

What kind of God looks at us in such sin and filth of our own choices and has such deep compassion on us?  A gentle, kind, and patient God.

Hosea shows us an illustration of this position of kindness and unfathomable love and patience, but our God is infinitely more compassionate than His prophet, Hosea.

Let His compassion move us to worship today. 

Lord, we love You. We have done nothing to deserve or earn the kind of compassion You have shown us. We come to You today repentant of every way we've failed You, knowing there is no condemnation in You, but redemption that leads us to worship You. Turn our eyes upon You and not the lesser things of this world. No one can fill us like You. No one was meant to. Amen.