Wed.’s Devo - Hope for Healing After Judgment

Read: Hosea 6:1-9:17; 3 John 1:1-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 29:12-14 No matter how far God’s children stray from him, he always promises healing and restoration if they return. Hosea understood this about God and begged the people to return and press in to know God. Still the people refused to turn to God. God responded to their hard hearts. He reminded them that he sent prophets to them to turn them and warn them of what would happen if they didn’t repent. They broke their covenant with him and betrayed his trust. Their priests had robbed the people of their wealth and spiritual health. God had wanted to heal Judah and restore their fortunes to them but instead he would have to punish them for their sins. Israels’s sins were too great also. They didn’t think God saw what they were doing but he was watching the whole time. They worshipped foreign gods which sapped them of their strength. He compared the people of Israel like witless doves who flew to Egypt, then Assyria for help. God would throw a net over them and bring them down to earth and punish them for all they had done. In their distress, instead of turning to God for help, they turned to their senseless, dead gods. As a result, their leaders would be killed by their enemies and Egypt would laugh at their calamity. Once the alarm was sounded and the enemy descends upon Israel, they will cry out to the Lord for help but it will be too late. God addressed the golden calf they had made and put in Samaria. It would be smashed to bits. God would now hold Israel accountable for her sins and also of Judah’s. They would not have enough to eat in their own land and God would throw them out of their land. They would go back to Egypt and to Babylon where they would be made to eat food offered to other idols. They would not be allowed to celebrate their festivals or God’s feasts. God’s prophets were set up as watchmen but they had been hunted and killed for their warnings. It was now time for judgment. In John’s third letter he writes specifically to Gaius, his dear friend. He had gotten the good news through the traveling teachers that they were standing strong in their faith. He commended Gaius for accepting and supporting these teachers even though they didn’t know them beforehand. It was their responsibility as the church to support those who work for the kingdom. John admonished Diotrephes who believed and taught just the opposite. He just loved being the leader and seemed to be intimidated by the traveling teachers. He did not have the heart of God in this matter. John told them not to follow Diotrephes example. God’s people are known by their fruit and good deeds. Lord, may our works show our hearts. May we honor you in all we say and do.