The Discipline of God - Hosea 5

Chapter 5, and the previous chapter, of the book of Hosea describe the sins of the priests of the nation of Israel. These priests, who were set apart to discourage their people from sin, had found profit in encouraging their people to sin.
You can hear the anguish in God’s voice as he speaks through his [...]

Caught in the act - Hosea 4

A heavy chapter to be sure.
The most dire to me was the warning to priests:
6 My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. It is all your fault, you priests, for you yourselves refuse to know me. Now I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of [...]

Bought back and redeemed! - Hosea 3

I can imagine the people of the day who knew about Hosea and his situation. They must have been amazed at what was happening. But think of the clear example of what God was having Hosea to do. It was God’s mercy and love illustrated in a living, breathing example.
It would be easy for Hosea [...]

Love Lessons - Hosea 2

Gomer has been found guilty and judged.
The Northern kingdom of Israel had been given many warnings, but God (through Hosea & his wife) is telling Israel how it is to be.
The first part of this chapter speaks of terrible judgement. But, look at the beauty of the second part. The restoration with God is an [...]

Huge demonstration of God’s Love - Hosea 1

Can you imagine being asked to marry a woman whom you knew would be unfaithful? This is what God asked young Hosea to do - in order for God to demonstrate His disappointment and ultimately reveal His love of the children of Israel.
Background (footnotes):
Hosea was a prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel from 753 [...]

Some Great Advice With An Eternal Perspective - Psalms 146

A great reminder for me today as I go out into a world that thinks that money, power or fame is the ultimate goal. American idols will only fade into nothingness, but the word of the Lord remains forever
Here’s what jumped out at me today:
3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, [...]

Every Day, One Generation To Another - Psalms 145

As we finish up the final five Psalms, I notice that each of the remaining Psalms are praise Psalms. Today, in Psalm 145, David lifts up praise to God for his greatness and his works.
1 I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. 2 Every [...]

Sing a new song to God - Psalms 144

I found Psalms 144 interesting. David praises God for training him for war. He acknowledges that God has rescued him and is his refuge in times of trouble. He recognizes that with God, his family and his nation will be blessed. And, right in the middle of all this we find:
9 I will sing a [...]

Meditate on God’s Greatness - Psalms 143

The first half of Psalms 143 is a reminder for me today to think on the good things. There are plenty of things to distract us. We face trials and tests every day. Our friends and family disappoint us. We disappoint ourselves. The enemy makes our lives difficult. Stuff happens. Yet, like David reminds us [...]

“No One Is Concerned For Me” - Psalms 142

You know the story - David is being hotly pursued, his life at stake, by King Saul. According to Matthew Henry, David pens this Psalm inside a cave he’s been chased into. He cries out in desperation to God to rescue him from his pursuers.
4 Look to my right and see; no one is concerned for [...]