Monday October 19, 2020

Today’s Reading: Hosea 2:14-23

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 2:23

Reflection: God looks forward to a restored relationship with the people of Israel. God and Israel have shared a close relationship likened to that of a marriage. But in this relationship, Israel has repeatedly been unfaithful to God and has chosen instead to worship false gods. Because the people leave God for other gods that cannot provide for them, they wander off to ruin without Him. But even then, God speaks of a future where He will be reunited with His people in love and fellowship. Even after Israel’s infidelity, they will receive the blessing of God’s forgiveness that will be initiated by God. In Israel’s desolation, in the midst of their idolatry, God will extend forgiveness to them when they have not asked for it. On that day, God’s love for His people will draw them to Him once again. The people will willingly return to Him to enjoy a close covenant relationship which is even stronger then they had previously known. Israel will experience the abundant love and providence of God, and with the assurance of these things the fullness of His peace and joy. They will be His people and He will be their God forever.

Even in our failings, when we betray our God to seek after other priorities, and even when we abandon God altogether, He still looks forward to the day when we choose to reunite with Him. He through His Son Jesus has already extended to us His forgiveness. This is because of God’s unfailing love which He seeks to share with us in relationship with Him. God longs to receive from us the love that He has so passionately poured out upon us.

Reflection Questions:

-What has caused damage to the relationship between God and Israel? What are some specific ways that our relationship with God can sometimes get damaged?

-What restores the once damaged relationship between God and Israel? When our relationship with God is damaged, how can it be restored once again?

-What does God’s forgiveness say about how He feels towards His people? What does this mean for what He feels about you as a believer in Him?

Prayer: O Lord My God, I praise You for Your love shown to me. Thank You for Your undeserved forgiveness for the times when I have abandoned You. Thank You for Your unfailing compassion and amazing grace. I confess before You, Lord, that in my sin I have failed to be faithful to You in thought, word, and deed. Forgive me for falling short of Your glory Lord. Please by Your mercy restore me to relationship with You again, that I might know the unending joy it is to be near to You at all times. I pray all of these things in Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

Thru the Bible in a year (credit: Biblestudytools.com: Mark 9:2-50; 2 Samuel 22; Hosea 2:2-23