Devotions
Redemptive Misery (Hosea 5)
Reformed Christians talk a great deal about grace. This is understandable, given the Reformation’s emphasis the truth that God’s salvation comes to us by grace alone. Our preaching, rightly, does not tip the theological scales in the direction of sin but always points...
The Essence of Relationship (Hosea 4)
Hosea 4 presents a turning point in the prophecy. From this point, the Lord delivers a series of prophetic pronouncements against his people. There is less narrative than in the opening three chapters. Some interpreters have gone so far as to suggest that the...
Restoring Love (Hosea 3)
“Does God still love me?” Have you ever heard anyone ask that question? Have you perhaps asked it yourself? The premise that lies behind that question is that love is, in some way, a response to loveliness: God loves us when we are lovable, but perhaps not when we are...
Prostitution of Loyalties (Hosea 2:2–23)
Yesterday, we saw that Hosea was called to the difficult task of taking “a wife of whoredom” and having “children of whoredom” as an illustration of Israel’s infidelity in its relationship with God. Chapter 2 now addresses this infidelity. The chapter is divided...
The Very Best Way (Hosea 1:1–2:1)
How do we show that we believe God? If the famed Sunday school song is correct, obedience is the very best way to show that you believe. Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe: Doing exactly what the Lord commands; doing it happily. Action is the...
A Reverse Advent: Incarnation (Philippians 2:5–11)
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” claims Andy Williams. He adds that it is “the hap- happiest season of all, with those holiday greetings and gay, happy meetings when friends come to call.” Christmas is certainly, for most of us, a time of great cheer. It’s...