I just finished a She Reads Truth 17-day study on the book of Hosea and the wonderful ladies at SRT challenged us to share what we learned from the book of Hosea. I’m going to give a brief overview of Hosea and then share a journal entry I wrote on Day 12 of the study.
In the book of Hosea, God paints a beautiful portrait of His
unconditional, never-ending love
for Israel, and us, through the prophet Hosea. Hosea married Gomer who was unfaithful and even had children by other men but he always forgave her and continued loving her. In the same way, the nation of Israel completely turned their backs on God and He would be angry and even discipline them. But His discipline is always out of love and in order to bring Israel back to Him.
(As a side note, I also reread the novel Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers which depicts the love story of Hosea and Gomer in more modern times. If you have never read Redeeming Love, I would HIGHLY recommend it!)
Day 12 was like a punch in the gut and Jesus showed me my sins and how much it hurts Him. The following is my reflections and realizations from day 12, based on Hosea 10:1-15 and Hebrews 12:5-11.
{But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil,
you have eaten the fruit of deception.
Because you have depended on your own strength
and on your many warriors.}
Hosea 10:13
[Our hearts are not naturally inclined to seek the Lord and do what is right…apart from God’s beautiful grace, we are just like Israel.]
from She Reads Truth
I am so guilty of trying to rely on my strength, not realizing my sin, and thinking I can make it on my own and with my own plan.
And that’s the exact sin God wants me to see.
When I’m not listening to Him, thinking I can handle it, and letting pride run my life, I am SINNING against the Creator who KNOWS the ins and outs of every part of me! When in reality, under my thick skin and my stubborn, independent way of life, the only way I still have breath in my lungs is by the GRACE OF GOD and the beautiful yet unfathomable truth that Jesus keeps coming back for me, no matter what. And I don’t deserve one step or one ounce of His love. Nor can I do anything to get more or less of His love.
[We are more wicked than we ever dared believe, but more loved and accepted in Christ than we ever dared hope–at the very same time??]
Tim Keller
{I will heal their faithlessness, and love them freely
for my anger has turned away from them.}
Hosea 14:4
