Thurs.’s Devo - God Tears Down and He Rebuilds

Read: Hosea 6:1-9:17; 3 John 1:1-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 29:12-14 Hosea knew God’s pattern. He tears own and then he rebuilds. He encouraged Israel and Judah to quickly repent so that God could begin restoring them. God had sent his prophets to cut down the sin in their hearts and to show the people that God didn’t want just their sacrifices, he wanted their hearts. He wanted to know them and for them to know him as their king and father. Instead, they were like Adam who broke God’s covenant and betrayed his trust. *** They murdered as a part of their idol worship. The sins of Samaria were too great and the idol worship in Ephraim was detestable. The king desired wickedness for entertainment. Their sin blinded them to their dying condition. They were so arrogant they didn’t even try to find God. *** At first, they went to Egypt for help against their enemies and then they aligned with Assyria. They looked for help everywhere but to the Lord, the only one who could help them. Now, it is too late. *** God rejected the golden calf they made in Samaria and it must be smashed to bits. Their harvests are small and what they geo ended up in the enemies’ hands. *** Hosea defined the job of the prophet. Israel had thought the prophets were crazy and foolish.But Hosea described the prophet as a watchman over Israel for the Lord. He faced traps and hostility even in the house of the Lord. God will avenge the prophets because they said what he told them to say. *** Hosea saw their wickedness and how they refused to repent and prayed that they would be barren or if they did conceive, their children would be taken from them. *** The Lord said that their sin began at Gilgal. Gilgal was a place where they had made a covenant twice to return to the Lord. Now, it had become a place of idol worship and abomination. God promised to do what Hosea had prayed - slaughter their children. They would become wanderers and homeless among the nations. They would be a people without a country. *** John wrote his third letter to Gaius. He had gotten news that they were faithful and holding on to the truth. They made John elated with joy. He told them how it pleased God when they welcomed the traveling teachers. He encouraged them to support them so they could continue their ministry. There was one leader named Diotrephes who refused to welcome the traveling teachers. He was making evil accusations against them. John encouraged them not to follow his example. *** Lord, help us to be examples to the next generation of faithfulness, humility and truth. We pray for repentance in our nation and your restoration and healing for the nations.