DCLM Daily Manna 7 May 2026: Lulled By His Love
Key Verse: “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her” (Hosea 2:14)
BIBLE READING: Hosea 2:9-15
9 Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness.
10 And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand.
11 I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.
12 And I will destroy her vines and her fig trees, whereof she hath said, These are my rewards that my lovers have given me: and I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field shall eat them.
13 And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the Lord.
14 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.
15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.
READ OTHER DCLM DAILY DEVOTIONAL HERE
There is an interesting story of a medieval monk who gave special invitation for a Sunday evening special service with the theme: “The Love of God.” On the special day, as the shadows fell and light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix on the altar. First, he illuminated the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. As expected, total silence and secret sobs pervaded the atmosphere at which time the monk blew out the candle and left the congregation to ponder on what they had just watched.
God, in our passage, declared His disgust at the lifestyle of His chosen people. He was appalled at how easily they rejected Him. He will punish their disobedience unfailingly without a way of escape. But in the midst of this horrific foreboding, God showed up in His brightness, and in His merciful uniqueness. All the gloom, the threat of punishment and indignation suddenly gave way to the merciful disposition of a God not wanting any to perish. The radiancy of God’s love shone through the cloudy pillars of the Almighty’s indignation. “I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.”
Our God is merciful. His love is unfathomable. His ways are past finding out. His dealings with His people are not cruel; but like a nursing father, God is ever willing to pardon His erring but repentant children after correcting them. The power of God’s love and mercy overcomes all judgment and indignation. This is conditioned on returning to Him with a humble heart. No wonder, Prophet Jeremiah exclaimed, “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).
God uses every means possible today to attract penitent sinners to Himself. He runs after them even in the wilderness of life. He pursues the disobedient, the hardened at heart, to bring them back home. He speaks with a gentle, calming voice, to encourage lost souls back to the path of rectitude. His love is both surprising as it is irresistible. Oh that you will listen to His voice today, and respond to His invitation. He’s waiting at the door, saying, whosoever will, may come.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The Father’s love is an encouragement to the returning prodigals
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 21-22
DCLM Daily Manna 7 May 2026
