APRIL 19, 2012
God’s Unfailing Love
Read: Hosea 10:9-15
Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; . . . for it is time to seek the Lord. —Hosea 10:12
The Old Testament book of Hosea is the story of God’s faithful
love for His unfaithful people. In what seems strange to us,
the Lord commanded Hosea to marry a woman who would
break her marriage vows and bring grief to him (Hosea 1:2-3).
After she deserted Hosea for other men, the Lord told him to
take her back—a picture of “the love of the Lordfor the children
of Israel, who look to other gods” (3:1).
Later, Hosea was called upon to tell the Israelites that because
of their rebellion against the Lord, they would be carried away
into captivity by a foreign power. “Tumult shall arise among
your people, and all your fortresses shall be plundered” (10:14).
Yet in the midst of their sin and punishment, the grace of God
toward His people was never exhausted. In a grace-filled
exhortation, He said: “Sow for yourselves righteousness;
reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to
seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on
you” (10:12).
Even when we have “plowed wickedness” and “reaped
iniquity” (10:13), God does not stop loving us. Whatever
our situation today, we can turn to the Lord and find
forgiveness to make a new start. His love never fails!
The Lord bestows unfailing love,
Forgiving when we fall
And then repent and turn to Him,
Responding to His call. —Sper
No force is greater than the power of God’s love.
Source: Our Daily Bread 2012
