Faithful: A Study in HoseaSample

What does it say?

Israel had no king, rulers, or wisdom to save them from the guilt of sin stored up against them, so God Himself would ransom and redeem them from the power of death.

What does it mean?

Time after time, the children of Israel begged God for help, but then they turned to idols after He satisfied their needs. Instead of responding with gratitude and changed hearts, Israel quickly forgot about the Lord’s deliverance and resumed sinning with increased fervor. They didn’t acknowledge the Lord’s daily provision or His divine plan for dealing with sin’s penalty through sacrifice. God documented each rebellion against His authority and recorded each refusal to recognize His goodness. God’s people were racking up a sin debt, and only He could provide a ransom for them.

How should I respond?

How strong is your faith when times are good? Do you live in the same God awareness when stress levels decrease as when you’re begging God to intervene in the wee hours of the morning? We tend to resume life as usual as soon as the pressure is off, which may include a resumption of sinful thoughts or habits. To protect your heart from ingratitude, keep a prayer journal to record how God answers those desperate cries for help. Go over them regularly, thanking God both privately and publicly. Any rebellion against God’s authority will make you oblivious to His goodness.