I have had many mountain-top moments of faith through the years. God has delivered in some big ways. My response to these moments is always a string of renewed promises: I will pray more often, I will worship God more vulnerably, I will feast on the Word of God daily without fail. But hours turn to days, weeks, and suddenly I realize I’ve already forgotten the promises I have made to God. In Hosea 13, we are told how the people of God experienced the ups and downs of their forgotten promises to God.
After God’s people were rescued from Egypt, they promised to worship no other god except the Lord. But as you might guess, it wasn’t long before they began to fashion idols for themselves and give credit where credit was not due. Their punishment for breaking their covenant with God was to wander in the desert for forty years, with none of the adult generation to see the Promised Land! The peoples’ time of wandering is marked by many times of complaining against God, hunger, and thirst, but all the while God remembered them and provided for them again and again. Each time, the people would praise the Lord, and rededicate themselves to serving Him again. But along the way, they would forget of His great deeds, grow unfaithful and proud, and neglect God’s provision (Hosea 13:5–6).
I often remark on how ungrateful Israel’s response was to God’s loving-kindness. It is seemingly impossible for these people to be faithful to their promises, yet the more I reflect on my own spiritual habits, I realize I act much the same way. Just like Israel, I give credit to myself, forgetting all the victories God has won. I trade God’s invitation to come and be with Him for a cheap imitation of intimacy with my phone on the couch. I overlook the amazing thing God has done for me, what feels like seconds after His blessing has manifested.
But how does God respond to this ungratefulness? Well, I really have no reason to fault Him if His response is to “be like a lion,” but remarkably He chooses to “redeem them from death” (vv.7,14). Though He is rejected by His people, He still chooses to rescue them.
There truly is no one like our God. His forgiveness is not dependent on our ability to follow the law, “for no one alive is righteous in [God’s] sight” (Psalm 143:2). Instead, God’s forgiveness is dependent on the death and life of Jesus paying the debt of our sin. The God who rescued the Israelites from Egypt is the same God rescuing us today. Despite our failed promises to Him, God will keep us from death. Despite our unfaithfulness, God is mighty to save.
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50 thoughts on "Death and Resurrection"
His forgiveness is not dependent on our ability. ❤️
So thankful for God and how He has always shown up and been there!
Even though there are times we reject Him, He always rescues us. What an amazing promise.
So many times I’m like the Israelites.
Yes
This was an amazing chapter to read. I’ve read the OT so many times before but I never placed myself in Israel’s shoes. When Israel has forgotten their promises to God, something we do as humans as often. It really makes me reflect on the times in my life in which I create idols.
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So thankful, Maura, that your prayers were answered.
I truthfully have found the podcasts for Hosea to be super enlightening! All of these ideas and perspectives that I just could not see myself. I’m not a researching person, so I just read what’s in front of me without thinking further. But listening to the podcast at the beginning of the week has helped me see more into the readings and take more notes!
” O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thine help.”
Im sitting in awe right now, at how the God of the universe, the same one who made the stars, wants to save us from ourselves. Wants to save us from committing sins, and falling in a pit of despair. And He really does help. Even if we have made many mistakes in life, we find freedom in God. We can find forgiveness and truth. He takes my breath away. We are so lucky to worship a God who loves us even more than we could imagine,
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I pray that I would spend as much time with God in the good times as I do in the bad times.
WOW!! WOW!! Bailey’s words really came through and made me really think and think hard! Am I really worshipping God and Christ the way I should be? Am I putting Them first in my life?
I decided to read some of the surrounding verses in the Acts scripture in a new Bible I just purchased — Thrive: A Journaling Devotional Bible for Women (NLT) — and the devotion next to the Acts verses had this comment that I highlighted; “Some may be able to save a life, but only Jesus can save a soul!” That also WOWed me today.
So sisters maybe we need to step back and take a good look at ourselves and ask “Am I really worshipping God and Christ the way I should be? Am I letting the Holy Spirit shine through? Am I putting God, Christ and the Holy Spirit first in my life? I know my answer; it’s no, not entirely not like I could and should.
Be blessed and let the Holy Spirit shine through you today sisters.
I have a follow up praise report. I went for a follow up visit with the retina specialist and he said that my retina is stable. Thanking God for his healing power and for all who remembered me in prayer. So thankful for God’s faithfulness to me! Also so thankful for this community where the scriptures can be explained and requests can be shared and prayed over. I thank God for the authenticity of those here. It helps to know that you are not the only one struggling with the issues of life.
Searching, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers! Thank you to all who are praying for me and the little one.
Maura wow! Praise God for your housing fund! And thank you for your insight on worry. I have been a worrier my entire life and sometimes it gets so out of hand that I look to other things to distract me from it as Mari V mentioned. It has been getting better with a renewed understanding of prayer, but it is still there. I will pray for you and for me and for anyone else who struggles with worry that God will help us to let it go.
MAURA – So happy you found a place to live! What part of Colorado are you in? I’m up north. Your words blessed me again today. Tears fall sweet lady. I’m so thankful for you.
ARINA – I feel the same. I spend my mornings in God’s word and then go about my day. I want to be transformed. To truly know Him. To think about all that he has done for me throughout my day. I have started listening to christian music in my car. Trying to keep my focus on HIM.
MELANIE – praying for your FIL. I have trouble sleeping. My mind does not turn off during hard times. I worry. I need to give it to the Lord.
The podcast talked about Hosea 13:6 When they had pasture, they became satisfied; they were satisfied, and their hearts became proud. Therefore they forgot me. They talked about the lacking of lack. Isn’t that so true today. We have so much that we forgot who gave it to us. To put God first always. To hold onto stuff lightly.
Sydney S thanks for sharing! Sometimes I have felt like that too, going through the last two studies, my heart doesn’t latch onto the OT like it sings in response to the NT as much but as others have mentioned there are still insights to be found here. My heart is sad over imagery of women being torn apart and children dying, but the focus is on the love of God for His people despite them choosing other things but Him. Hope this helps and you are blessed !
May I not forget God; who He is and all He has done for me.
Wow, LISA…I love that!! “Annie F. Downs, “My feelings get to ride, but they don’t get to drive.” ”
MAURA, I am elated to hear of the home you found; been praying and will continue to do so. Oh, Boy…it is QUITE possible that worry is often a distraction or idol in my life which leads me to seek even more distraction (sadly TV is the best for turning my brain / heart off) to forget the worry!! There is no doubt that our concerns and requests before the Lord are genuine aches (e.g. the children and now the depressed preteen) that need us to FEEL and contemplate but, there are certainly times when we must cease the ruminating, even briefly, and surrender.
LAURA, nice to hear back from you; continuing to pray.
SYDNEY, I have most certainly felt this and for some segments of the Bible, just wanted to “check it off” as read, knowing I am being “washed” by the Word but, I agree with our sister…. when we go through it together and I read the well-preparrd, often researched, meditation, (sometimes wondering “How did she manage get THAT from the text?!”) I find I get something out of it!
God bless. Let us NEVER cease to pray for one another ❣️
You learn something new every day! I just now realized after reading this devotion that the adult generation during that time did not get to see the promised land. How sad. Yet God still approved himself faithful. Now that’s our God. That’s the God I want to serve. I may not be a widow but figuratively speaking I am. And our God promises to take care of the widow.
This may not be a big deal but I am so grateful!! God provided a knee scooter for me at no charge. It’s go to make my job at work a lot easier to maneuver. I’m so tired of the crutches! It has been quite the challenge to get across the campus. Which I avoid at all costs. But for now, I’m so grateful and thankful to my God who always provides and takes care of me.
You learn something new every day! I just now realized after reading this devotion that the adult generation during that time did not get to see the promised land. How sad. Yet God still approved himself faithful. Now that our God. That’s the God I want to serve. I may not be a widow but figuratively speaking I am. And our God promises to take care of the widow. 
“I have been the Lord your God, (Kathy), ever since…(v13:4)…the beginning. I can look back and see his faithfulness and guiding hand in my life and my choices. Grateful and saying this to myself over and over today. So comforting!
Praising God with you Maura! So thankful we have the Lord who is the God of armies, King of Kings, Lord of lords yet unfailing in his love and mercy to each one of us. Thanks for mentioning the podcast, I haven’t listened for awhile and know I would get even more out of these passages if I listened. I too am finding Hosea difficult but am so thankful for the devotions here, your thoughts and commentary to help me digest it all. I am finding nuggets to underline, things I want to remember. And that’s enough for now! My first time through Hosea will not be my only time to read it and maybe not the time it all makes perfect sense and that’s okay!
I love how SRT adds other connected texts, like the 1 Cor 15:54-56, “Death where is your victory? Where, death, is your sting.” How often I know pieces of text from the New Testament, (thanks to worship music), and then get to see the connections here as I work my way through Old Testament books I haven’t ever thought to dive into on my own?! So grateful for this resource and the encouragement here! ❤️
Oh how precious is our Lord! He provides. What a blessing @Maura!
Today’s readings were challenging. Hosea 13:4-6 really reminded me of what I struggle with as a Christian. Verse 4 and 5 talk about God saving the Israelites from their struggles. Verse 6 says “when I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied they became proud; then they forgot me. So true! I get in a hard spot and cry out to God to help me; but once I am saved I go about my life business as usual with little acknowledgment of what the Lord has done.
Lord help me to be faithful to you in the good times and the bad.
Thank You, God, for Your unfailing love and faithfulness no matter what ❤
I like what you live by, Lisa, “my feelings get to ride, but they don’t get to drive”.
When i found out my son was dating an author of a book riddled with witchcraft, i was overwhelmed. I had to remind myself to breathe. I did not feel like praying. I felt like curling up in an infant pose, and come out of it to start again. But i know prayer works, and drove myself to it. Others prayed too. I also shared here. Perhaps you ladies prayed too. (I don’t know how to get all the comments.)
All glory and honor to our Lord who hears are prayers and acts on our behalf. The God who parts the sea, blinds an army, falls a thick city wall and raises the dead, also worked in that beautiful ladies heart to realize, after re-reading the book again, the anger she had against God when writing it. She went as far as to say she’s glad now it did not win awards and get lots of attention. She has no idea the power of darkness in the book but her ties to it have been broken. There is more to pray since my son did not realize the red flag at all, i am assuming he has ties to witchcraft himself, probably through video games and Japanese comics (nothing against Japanese comics – only those that have witchcraft). My prayer is that they will give up their entertainment on screen time altogether and gain back a godly innocence. And i command in Jesus name that all ties they have to witchcraft be broken; any spirit of witchcraft to be bound; their eyes opened to the truth in God’s Word. And i pray they will not hold against me that i at first told my son to leave her. This is before i knew her heart for God. What I’m saying is, I’m so glad for those times i put God in the driving seat. He knows way better than me what to do. And if He acts as a lion, I know He is also the one who saves.
@Sidney S. and @Lisa…Hosea as well as many of the O.T. prophet books are sometimes hard to bear, especially when God speaks of all the judgements He would and did bring on the nation of Israel for their disobedience. For me, when I’m reading these hard passages, I try not to focus on the negative, but the positive… before God ever brings judgement He always gives an opportunity for repentance. This shows me God’s mercy. When Israel cries out to Him because of all their oppression due to their sin – God forgives them, this shows me His grace. They sin, God calls them to repentance, they refuse – God judges, they cry out (time and time again) and He rescues them (time and time again!) this shows me God’s never ending love.
Just like Israel we sin (time and time again) and God always redeems us when we cry out to Him. What a merciful, gracious, loving heavenly Father we have!
I hope this has been helpful …praying that God will show you each (as well as myself) what He wants me to learn and apply from this passage and from the book of Hosea.
Blessings to all my dear SRT sisters!
Hey Sydney, Thank you for your vulnerability! What is hard for me in connecting with these books is that I just don’t easily or at all understand the dialect. So I am thankful for the reviews after each reading and the weekly podcast talking it through. Your dedication to keep moving forward and praying for the breakthrough is inspiring…stay with it! Thanks again for sharing ❤️
11 This Jesus is
the stone rejected by you builders,
which has become the cornerstone. 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12
I highlighted these verses. I want to remember them as I go through my day, tempted by idols.
11 This Jesus is
the stone rejected by you builders,
which has become the cornerstone. 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12
MAURA, my dearest friend, your news about the duplex made my heart soar!!! I have been praying and I am SO HAPPY for you!!!! Thank You God for providing my sweet friend with this amazing home!!! YAY!!!! May He continue to BLESS and Amaze you!!! You are a true treasure!!!! My continued prayers as always are with and for you dear sweet friend!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Sydney S, I have had many times where I feel I’m struggling to connect with a certain study or section of Scripture. What I have come to find in my own life is that those are the times I have to work my “faith muscles” and just keep at it. For me, I have to often tell myself something I learned from Annie F. Downs, “My feelings get to ride, but they don’t get to drive.” Be encouraged… as long as you opened your Bible and read it with intention, you’re still heading in the right direction.
Sydney S I feel the same way. I am in a spot in life where I need encouragement and not another place to show me where I fail. This is a hard text to swallow right now.
So true, Maura! It’s so easy to make worry our idol, and can be so hard to trust Him. Prayers for settling into your new home ♥️
I have to confess that I haven’t felt connected to this study or the Deuteronomy study compared with how deeply I was connecting with the Old and New Testament surveys. I keep coming back, and I fear that it’s just a spiritual immaturity on my part. Am I just not ready to glean what God is showing me from these texts? I will still keep coming every morning and praying for a breakthrough. But I am hopeful for renewed connection in the next three studies (Acts, thankfulness and Advent) thanks for allowing me to express my vulnerability!
Sydney, I understand!!! Especially if you’re not as familiar with the Old Testament, it’s tough. A book like Hosea is harder when it’s not read along with what was going on with the Israelites at the time. I advise you to hang in there. Even if you feel you’re not getting much out of it, you’re laying a foundation for understanding down the road. It IS God’s Word, and it’s important to learn the history of how God worked with the nation of Israel. It’s the foundation of Christianity. The ladies who write the commentaries are doing a great job; focus on their insights. Even without FEELING as connected, you ARE feeding on His Word and it is doing it’s work in you. You’re growing your knowledge of God — and like any relationship, sometimes we feel it, sometimes we don’t, but we keep on.
Thank you all so much for the outpouring of love and prayers for our daughter and our family. It is a beautiful thing when Christian women pray for each other. I appreciate it and pray for the requests that you post here as well. We are in a battle for our children’s souls. I believe it. I’m living it. The World is telling them that sin is NOT sin. It is dangerous. With God leading us, we must stand strong against the persuasiveness of lies in our World. I am grateful every day to our Savior who is stronger than any lies the Enemy tells us. Have a blessed day, everyone.
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Our God is mighty to save! Amen!
Searching, as you pray for others, I am praying for you, your heart, His peace, strength and mighty love.
Jennifer Anapol, loved what you said, to focus on what we can start doing. He is so good. Amen.
Traci Gendron thank you for your words, they blessed me. Our Father is so tender with us. I love the thought that one day we will be able to know all the ways He has picked us up, helped us to stand, carried us through, lifted us over, shielded us from, covered us in grace ❤️ Praying you feel His love mighty around you dear Traci.
Foster Mama, praying for this preteen. Asking God to remove the desire to harm herself, to give her a hope, a light, and wrap her up in His protective love. Our Jesus over her that she would see and feel His love.
Sky Hilton, Amen He is worthy, and waiting for us to run back into His arms. Funny when I think of the story of the Prodigal son, I wonder how many times God runs to meet us in this days and how many times we might be caught up in sin or self, and then I remember the not 7 times, He tells us to forgive, not 7, but 70 x 7. He is so so good.
ERB, praying you know how deep and wide His love is this day my dear friend. So thankful for you.
@Maura praising God along with you for a place to live and all the ways the Lord worked everything out for you!
I am so thankful for a God who is actively working in each of our lives, for His loving-kindness, and His faithfulness that is SO undeserved by me. Thankful that He is our Provider, a present help in time of trouble, He is our hope, He is our strength.
I am so guilty of being wayyyy to busy. Busyness and distraction are definitely my idols. I will spend some time reflecting on ways to lay those down before God, and let Him fill up my time more than anything else
Good morning Sisters, I woke up way too early, and thought an early read is a good idea. Such good reminders today that I need to keep my eyes on Jesus. It strikes me that the Israelites had very little to distract them compared to the abundance of things we have today, and I think it is, not just all the things, all the media, advertising etc, but also the busyness that satan tries to distract and tempt us with, to steal our time, our joy. But God, wants our focus to show us the quiet, the peace, the joy of and in His presence. I am so thankful for the prayers prayed for me to find a place to live. Prices in Colorado are pretty crazy, and my paygrade not so steep, but God is able and I am stepping out in faith and already have found a place that is a rental of a friend’s Dad, who is a Christian and I am amazed. Not only did they show me a place where I will have a spare bedroom, but a duplex, with a yard, that my grands can have some space to play in, but also, they did not show it to anyone else, giving me time to think and pray. And so, I said Yes! I am trusting and have seen His faithfulness already in many different ways for provision. How Great is our God. I know He is my provider, my hope and my strength. Praying for a mind Lord that stays on thee and a heart that listens and obeys your Holy Spirit, so that my faith might reflect your faithfulness. In Jesus name I pray. In reading today, I think God has been showing me why He hates worry, and that it has, more than I want to recognize, much less admit, been my idol. He is always faithful because He has to be true to who He is, praise the God who moves Mountains, who gave it all, that we who are unfaithful sinners, might be saved. Hugs Sisters, you are His creations fashioned in the image of the One true God, lean in to His open and loving arms and hold tight to the One who holds you.
GLORIA PENNER – thank you for sharing your story of hurt and ongoing healing. What came to mind was the power of our words and how sharp my words can be. Praying for you and your husband, as I also pray for myself and my husband. Every day, I choose to stay – some days it is harder than others.
VICTORIA E – continuing to pray for you and your little one.
FOSTER MAMA – praying for the preteen in your life! It’s such a difficult and confusing time of life. I have one in my life that is angry, sad, rebellious, wise only in her own mind, constantly lashing out at everything and everyone. I don’t think she has tried to hurt herself but the possibility has crossed my mind more than once.
SKY HILTON – Thank you for sharing as your statement about trusting God one more time will stay with me.
LAURA and others in similar situations – Praying for wisdom and the Lord’s guidance as you navigate these relationships. I have Christian family members with a grandchild in a homosexual relationship and they have had many sit-downs to make it clear how they feel about it and what God’s Word says. The grandparents are heartbroken and yet have extended hospitality to both for holiday meals and such. I don’t have a clue but the Lord knows how each person/family/friend should respond and interact so that His Love shines through and blocks out satan’s devious ways.
I feel in this day and age distraction is our idol. Well at least for me. Distracted by phones, emails, schedules and all the responsibilities we have. The god of busyness. This is where I am at. It’s hard to sleep hard to function and I’m trying to find Jesus in all of it. Thankful His mercies are new everyday. My Fil is still in the hospital due to Bp issues. We are at day 15.
I feel the same way
Two things jumped out to me
“our Father in heaven saw our desperate state and chose to intervene through Jesus Christ. When our journey of faith feels like one step forward and two steps back, we can point to Him and know that the only help we’ll ever need is here with us today.” Collin Ross
“Despite our failed promises to Him, God will keep us from death. Despite our unfaithfulness, God is mighty to save.”
Bailey Hurley
What a relief! Not only for those who have turned to God for salvation but also for knowing that those we love are never too far gone. God is relentlessly persuing them. May we be steadfast to battle in the spirit rehelm to silence the lies that are believed by them.
Amen!
“I overlook the amazing thing God has done for me, what feels like seconds after His blessing has manifested.”
Ouch, this is so true. I’m guilty of this. Even this week, after experiencing God’s presence this Sunday, how He forgives ALL of my sin. But now, days later, and life is back to normal and it’s if it has never happened. What God does in my life, so often seems to only lead to happy feelings for a moment, rather than a transformation of the heart.
Then it’s so good to read from 1 Corinthians 15, one day this corruptible body will be clothed with incorruptibility, this mortal body clothed with immortality. One day in heaven we will be able to glorify God perfectly, fully acknowledging Him for all he has done.