Daily Devotional for January 19, 2015
Hosea 8
Scripture:
Hosea 8:11-13 “Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, these have become altars for sinning. I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something alien. They offer sacrifices given to me and they eat the meat, but the LORD is not pleased with them. Now he will remember their wickedness and punish their sins: They will return to Egypt.
Observation:
Hosea declared the futility of Israel offering insincere sacrifices. The Lord was not pleased with rituals performed without remorse for wrongdoing. Instead of receiving forgiveness from heartfelt confession, the nation suffered punishment for their accumulated sins.
Hebrews 9:22 teaches that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” The blood from animal sacrifice pointed to the time when Christ’s blood would secure forgiveness for all who receive Him. His death paid the penalty for sin once and for all.
Israel had treated the Lord as one of many gods, sacrificing only to gain favor. Doing good things to gain God’s favor will not cover our sin. Nothing can substitute for the blood Christ shed. God sees each heart. He knows if there is true remorse that brings about change.
Application:
- Personal Application: Take some time to evaluate your motives and intensions as you serve the Lord. A broken and a contrite heart, the Lord will not despise. The Lord will bless those who sincerely seek Him.
- Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Ask them if anything spoke to them as you read. Talk about their answers and show them that one important aspect of this chapter is that we must keep our heart and motives pure before the Lord. Pray for them.
Prayer:
- Personal Prayer Focus: Ask God for forgiveness of sins and to help you keep your heart and motives pure.
- Family Prayer Focus: Pray that your family will always stay humble and sincere before the Lord.
Three Year Reading Plan for Sunday, January 17 – Sunday, January 24:
- Sunday, January 17: Hosea 6
- Monday, January 18: Hosea 7
- Tuesday, January 19: Hosea 8
- Wednesday, January 20: Hosea 9
- Thursday, January 21: Hosea 10
- Friday, January 22: Hosea 11
- Saturday, January 23: Hosea 12
- Sunday, January 24: Hosea 13
—TOM GROOT is National Director of Men’s Ministry and Christian Education. Connect with Tom on Facebook or Twitter @TomGrootJr.
Portions of this devotional are adapted from God’s Word for Today, September 24, 2013.
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