December 5

Hosea 1-2

When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, He told him, “Go, take a prostitute as your wife and have children of adultery, because this land is flagrantly prostituting itself by departing from the LORD” (1:2). Next time someone says they want God to make them a prophet, tell them to read Hosea. God asked him to do some things most of us would rather not do. Let’s face it, if a young man came to either of us claiming that God told him to marry a hooker, we’d argue against it. Good thing we weren’t around advising Hosea; that’s what God said, and that’s what Hosea did, and we have one of the most memorable illustrations of God’s people in the Bible.

The obvious question is whether one plays the prostitute’s role or the prophet’s. Are they presumptuous of God’s mercy while betraying His fidelity, or do they trust Him even when things get a bit strange?

There’s a promise within the painful story of Hosea. One day, God will reconcile Israel under a King. We know He is King Jesus, and by faith we are among God’s kids and heirs to His Kingdom. I will say to those called ‘Not My People,’ ‘You are My people,’ and they will say, ‘You are our God’ (2:23).

1 John 5

Everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith (5:4). We do not achieve victory by faith, but through faith. Not to purposely complicate things, but it’s important to understand that everything good comes from God, not by our works. So, we cannot rightly say that our faith overcomes the world—God does—and we receive His victory through our faith in Him. Victory was won by Jesus on the cross and confirmed by His resurrection.

Moreover, I am certainly not adding to John’s words. If anyone understood the price Jesus paid, an Apostle would understand better. John bases his entire sermon on the name of Jesus. We owe John a debt of gratitude, and even more to the Holy Spirit who spoke to us through John. As you read John’s letter, hear the praise and join in. We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life (5:20).

Proverbs 29:5-8

An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices. The life walked in step with the Holy Spirit really is better.