Sat.’s Devo - Return to the Lord

Read: Hosea 6:2-9:17; 3 John 1:1-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 29:12-14 Hosea calls the nation back to the Lord. God sent his prophets to tear them apart with words and threats of judgment. The people, in turn offered sacrifices to appease the Lord, thinking this would be all then needed to do. But, the Lord wanted them to love one another and to know him. Instead, they broke their covenant with the Lord and betrayed his trust. *** Gilead was the land east of the Jordan occupied by the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh. God called them a city of sinners and murderers. He called Ephraim and Israel prostitutes because they went after foreign gods. *** Judah was next. God had wanted to restore their fortunes but instead, would have to punish them for their sins. God wanted to heal Israel, but the crimes of Samaria were too great. They thought God wouldn’t see what they did, but he sees them all. *** Israel’s mingling with foreigners and worshipping their gods had made them weak and old. It had made them become silly and unwise. God had wanted to redeem them, but they told lies about him and turned on him. *** God hated the golden calf that Jeroboam set up. He asked them how long they would be incapable of being innocent. He would smash that calf to bits. *** Because of their sins, they will reap destruction, famine and judgment. They would be held accountable for their sins. Nothing they try will change God’s heart. *** The prophets God sent were to be watchmen over Israel but the people tried to trap them and they were not safe, even in the house of the Lord. *** The glory of the Lord would leave them. They would have difficulty in having children and the ones they did have would be taken from them. *** God declared that their sin began at Gilgal which was where Joshua had had the tribes put their stone to remind them that God had delivered them out of Egypt. Saul was crowned king there and it was the place Saul sinned by offering the sacrifice before Samuel arrived. The kings of Uzziah to Hezekiah worshiped the Lord there, but it had become the center of unspiritual worship. *** In Third John, John commended Gaius for being strong in spirit, faithful, hospitable and for following the truth. He spoke of the traveling teachers who John accepted, fed and housed when they were with him. The teachers depended only upon those in the faith for provisions. *** He rebuked Diotrephes who rejected them and not only refused to help the traveling teachers but put anyone who supported them out of the church. *** John told Gaius not to let his bad example influence him. Those who do good prove they are God’s children and those who do evil prove they do not know God. *** Lord, may we be good examples for others to follow. May we provoke others to good works and to know and love you more.