Fri.’s Devo - The Truth

Read: Hosea 6:1-9:17; 3 John 1:1-14; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 29:12-14
Hosea speaks very cryptic. He knows that Judah and Israel are being judged and punished for their sins but God’s ultimate plan was to restore them. He speaks in days saying that after two days he will revive us and on the third day he will restore us that we might live in his presence. He is speaking of millennials. Israel is now in that third day of God reviving them and revealing himself to them once again.
God explained that he sent his prophets to tell them the error of their ways. They thought they could do something like offer sacrifices and burnt offerings instead of give him their heart. God has never wanted anything from us but our hearts. He reminded them that every time he blessed them and prospered them they turned from him. Their sin had mounted up like a mountain and now they would reap what they sowed. They had been incapable of purity and sown the wind. Now they would reap the whirlwind. They had sought the council of their enemies before the counsel of God. They would return to Egypt and Assyria and there they would die with no heritage or home.
What a contrast from Hosea to Third John. John commends the Church for being faithful and walking in the truth. They were full of love and didn’t seek the help of pagans.
John mentions and contrasts two people by name: Diotrephes and Demetrius. Diotrephes loved to be first, gossiped maliciously about the leaders of the church and refused to welcome his fellow brothers. He also tried to keep others who wanted to receive them and put them out of the church.
In contrast, Demetrius was loved by all and loved the truth. He was commended by John and the leadership.
John encouraged his people to imitate good and not evil.
Lord, help us to be like Demetrius who loved the truth and the Body of Christ.