ESOCS Devotional 5 October 2022
TEXT: HOSEA 6: 1- 6
MEMORY VERSE: “Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.” Hosea 6:1
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
This scripture opens with a call for all Israelites to return to God. Israel had sinned against God. They had turned away from Jehovah to go after other gods. The consequence was a grievous one on them. He tore them to pieces with great affliction; He brought sickness on them and did great damage on them. They were a people that dutifully brought sacrifices and burnt offerings to God. But God greatly afflicted them nonetheless. This was because their religion was empty. They brought sacrifices and offerings while their life was full of sin and all forms of wickedness. They paid lip service to their relationship with God. Their hearts were far away from God, for the life they lived did not in any way validate their profession of faith and the duties they performed for which God dealt grievously with them. The reason for such severe discipline was that they had not understood God’s true desire. They thought that dutifulness in performing their religious duty was what was necessary in standing right with God. But religious duty including all offerings without righteousness is empty, completely of no value and unacceptable to God. He states clearly in verse 6, “I desire mercy not sacrifice and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offering.” God seeks those that will love Him and live by His word.
Here the Bible calls all who have not truly devoted themselves to God to return unto God. It teaches us that all who may be dutifully performing any religious functions or duties whose lives do not correspond to the true Christian life need to return to God for the things they do to be of any value before God. God’s desire is that man should turn away from sin and serve Him in truth and in spirit (John 4:22-24). No amount of gifts or religious duties can replace this. In Christ Jesus, He has provided the way of the salvation for man. He waits for the sinner to come.
CHALLENGES
- Examining your relationship with God, which of this is applicable to you?
- Dutiful member b) Born again C) All of the above
- Which of them do you require to be in right standing with God?
PRAYERS
- Merciful Father, thou who gave us your Son Jesus Christ, forgive me all sins and failures that turn me away from you. I give all that I am to you. May my whole life be consecrated to you and for your glory. Amen.
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ESOCS Devotional 5 October 2022
