July 07, 2019: SOAP #3503:  Hosea 10-12; Psalm 73; Hebrews 4

Scripture:  Hosea (NIV) 11:9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man — the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath.

Observation:   God did not punish Judah and Israel in wrath, for that would have destroyed them.  He punished them in love, to correct them, to preserve them.  The prophecies of the Messiah still had to be fulfilled.

In the following verses God speaks of a time of returning as He once again gathers His people from the nations.

Application:   I believe there yet remain prophecies to be fulfilled for Israel.  Though people and nations may rant against Israel and threaten to wipe them off the map, that cannot happen.  They still have a prominent place in prophecy as God wraps up His plans.

If I want to be assured of future blessing, I must be a part of the church.  And as a born-again member of the church in whom Christ dwells by His Spirit, I am promised a future of blessing and joy in heaven.  And I am promised His correction when needed.

When God corrects me, He does so in love.  His goal is not to destroy me, but to improve me.  His correction is proof that he believes I can do better.  His correction is proof that He has not given up on me!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, your love for me, and your plans for me, make you desire only the best for me. I pray that you find me correctible and improvable. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!