MEMORISE
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3).
READ:
Hosea 7:1-16
[1]. When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was uncovered, and the wickedness of Samaria. For they have committed fraud; a thief comes in; a band of robbers takes spoil outside.
[2]. They do not consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness; now their own deeds have surrounded them; they are before My face.
[3]. They make a king glad with their wickedness, and princes with their lies.
[4]. “They are all adulterers. Like an oven heated by a baker — He ceases stirring the fire after kneading the dough, until it is leavened.
[5]. In the day of our king Princes have made him sick, inflamed with wine; He stretched out his hand with scoffers.
[6]. They prepare their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait; their baker sleeps all night; in the morning it burns like a flaming fire.
[7]. They are all hot, like an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings have fallen. None among them calls upon Me.
[8]. “Ephraim has mixed himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake unturned.
[9]. Aliens have devoured his strength, but he does not know it; yes, gray hairs are here and there on him, yet he does not know it.
[10]. And the pride of Israel testifies to his face, but they do not return to the Lord their God, nor seek Him for all this.
[11]. “Ephraim also is like a silly dove, without sense— they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.
12 Wherever they go, I will spread My net on them; I will bring them down like birds of the air; I will chastise them according to what their congregation has heard.
[13]. “Woe to them, for they have fled from Me!
Destruction to them, because they have transgressed against Me! Though I redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against Me.
[14]. They did not cry out to Me with their heart when they wailed upon their beds. “They assemble together for grain and new wine, they rebel against Me;
[15]. Though I disciplined and strengthened their arms, yet they devise evil against Me;
[16]. They return, but not to the Most High; they are like a treacherous bow. Their princes shall fall by the sword for the cursings of their tongue. This shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.
EXPOSITION
People who are stubbornly attached to their own terms and formulas, like Ephraim, can never please God. Ephraim is known for doing things contrary to God's way, displaying pride, jealousy and self-centeredness. Many self-proclaimed Christians follow their own desires rather than God's, dressing, behaving and speaking without regard for God's will. They may have forgotten God's warning against carnality (Rom. 8:6). Despite knowing God, they defy His injunctions and ignore the repercussions.
Ephraim's actions often led to conflict and discord. Consider their actions in Judges 8:1-3; 12:1-6. They were in the eye of the storm. At times, they turned away from God and acted wickedly (Isa. 28:1-3). The counsel is clear do not turn away from God, as it brings damnable consequences. God's terms are good for us and His laws are not burdensome to those who love Him (1 Jn. 5:3). Obedience facilitates fellowship with Him. Let God's terms supersede yours!
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, I refuse to live outside Your good will for my life.
2. Lord Jesus, help me overcome every shortfall that may hinder me from meeting Your standard of holiness.
3. Pray that the Gospel of Christ will illuminate every form of darkness around us, in Jesus' name.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB: 718
1. I can hear my Saviour calling,
I can hear my Saviour callinig,
I can hear my Saviour calling,
Take thy cross, and follow, follow me.
Chorus:
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
I'll go with Him with Him, all the way.
2. I'll go with Him thro' the garden
I'll go with Him thro' the garden
I'll go with Him thro' the garden
I'll go with Him, with Him, all the way.
3. I'll go with Him thro' the judgment
I'll go with Him thro' the judgment
I'll go with Him thro' the judgment
I'll go with Him, with Him, all the way.
4. He will give me grace and glory
He will give me grace and glory
He will give me grace and glory
All go with me, with me, all the way.
Amen.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Genesis 16-18
AUTHOR
CAC Worldwide
Remain blessed
