ESOCS Devotional 15 October
TEXT: Hosea 2:14-23 KJV
MEMORY VERSE: “And I will betroth thee unto me forever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies.” Hosea 2:19 KJV
In John 3:16, we read: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” This implies that, more powerful than God’s judgment is His love. In our text today, Hosea reminded the children of Israel of God’s love in the past, particularly evident in the event of Exodus. Israel as a nation had responded with a superficial or phony love, and God, on His part, and justifiably too, was disappointed, and threatened to withdraw His love. However, the compassion and love of God overshadowed His anger.
Just as God commanded Hosea to take back his adulterous wife, He fully intended to take back His unfaithful and sinful nation (Hosea 2:14-16). Following God’s command to the prophet, Hosea pleaded with the people to repent and return to God. This prophecy, he ended with the message from God: “I will heal you of your unfaithfulness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever.” (Hosea 14:4).
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
It is therefore clear that the ultimate proof of God’s eternal love is Jesus Christ, who gave His life for His friends (John 15:13; 3:16; 1:12).
CHALLENGES
- Please read Deuteronomy 7: 7-9; 10: 18; Jeremiah 31:3-6; and John 3:16). Meditate on these scriptures and put yourself on the scale.
PRAYER POINT
- Lord, you have loved us with the love of Jacob, yet we ask, how have you loved us? Please pardon our ingratitude and continue to love us unto the end. Amen.
FURTHER READING: 2 Kings 14:15-29; 15:1-18; Galatians 3:16-29; 4:1-21
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ESOCS Devotional 15 October
