Faithful: A Study in HoseaSample

What does it say?

Even though God’s people said they acknowledged Him, they forgot that He was their Maker and rejected His law as something alien.

What does it mean?

Israel and Judah still saw themselves as God’s people, but it didn’t translate into personal or national life. People rejected what was good and did as they saw fit without seeking the Lord’s counsel. God’s law had become so unfamiliar that it seemed strange, yet religious ritual was a cultural habit. Without His law as the central focus of daily life, their façade of worship had no substance. They even set national policies and made alliances with other nations without giving any thought to the Lord’s approval. All attempts to find security through self-sufficiency would prove as futile as trying to sow the wind.

How should I respond?

Children depend entirely on their parents to provide for their needs, but they become more capable as they get older. By the time they reach their teen years, some rebel against parental help and stop caring about their approval. In spiritual terms, maturity doesn’t mean self-sufficiency. Reliance on our heavenly Father acknowledges that He is more capable of providing for our needs than we are. Think about what lies ahead of you this week. Does your current thinking show a tendency toward self-sufficiency or God-sufficiency? How will you demonstrate dependence on the Lord?