READ: Hosea 7, 8; Proverbs 5; 1 John 3
SCRIPTURE: Hosea 8: 12 I wrote
for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something
foreign.
OBSERVATION: A Tamil Muslim professor says, “The Bible is
a honeycomb that answers all questions of our hearts.” The Bible is not just a
book, but the book of books; it is a library that contains different books on
different genres. From kids to adults,
illiterate to learned ones, people of all ages and of all places can read and
benefit by reading the bible. However, some people doubt whether the bible is
relevant today. Most of them agree that
it is an ancient book but reject that it is inappropriate to the current problems,
cultures, and modern scientific world. Even some Christians also join with them
and refuse to believe in the authority and trustworthiness of the bible. Despite
all the opposition and rejection against the Bible, from the time it was first
communicated, the Word of God flourishes and spreads the aroma of the knowledge
of Christ across the world continually.
During Hosea’s time, Israelites forgot
God and were unfaithful to God and his words. They started to worship alien
gods, violating all the warnings and commandments against idol worship. But
God’s heart was yearning for them (Hos. 6:4; 11:8). While the Israelites built many altars to sin
against God, God called them to repent and return to him. In Hosea 8:12, God
tells three things: he identifies himself as the author of the bible; there are
many great things in his law; his people rejected his words. Though God used
different humans to write down his words, God is the author of the bible. The
bible tells us all the great things God has written for us. The bible tells us
of God’s great love, his plan for our salvation, his will for every person, and
God’s active involvement in human history. The bible testifies to the great
things God has done for his people and reminds us of his great teaching, love,
and promises. But, the Israelites did not give due respect to God’s word, “the
regarded them as something foreign.” Because of this, there was no political stability
and blessing in the land. Eventually, the Israelites came under the rule of
Assyrians. They treated God’s word as something foreign and were enslaved by foreign
kings. It became true that “They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind” (v.7). Some
English translations use the phrase “ten thousand precepts” instead of “many
things.” The bible has abundant teaching to guide us and for our blessings.
From Eden to eternity, God’s plan for human salvation and his love for us remains
unchanged. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb.13:8).
Even today, God’s word is reliable, relevant, and useful for us.
APPLICATION: The Bible is God’s word; It has many great
things for me. God is my creator and the Lord of my life. He is closer to me
than anyone else. I will give due respect and place to God’s word in my life. I
will read the bible regularly and make every effort to understand the great
things in it. When God speaks through the Bible, I must listen to God and obey him.
God’s word is alive and active; it is a blessing for me now and forever.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for your authentic and
well-attested words that are in our hands. Lord, I praise you for all the great
things you have done in my life. Lord, open my eyes to see the wonderful things
in your word. Holy Spirit, I cannot understand God’s word without you; give me
your wisdom to discern God's word and the strength to obey them fully. Amen.
- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573
Day – 338
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