Category: sin

I Will Love Them Freely #6

Saturday, June 7, 2025

“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him” (Hosea 14:4 KJV).

Behold, the LORD God’s free love for the nation Israel!

The last verse of Hosea chapter 14—yea, of the entire Book—is: “Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein” (Hosea 14:9). What JEHOVAH God says and does is right and good. Anyone reading His words of prophecy here is either a believer or an unbeliever, someone of understanding and knowledge or someone of confusion and ignorance. They can either take Him at His Word and turn to Him in faith (walking in righteousness), or neglect Him and continue in their sin (falling in unrighteousness). It is their choice!

“Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land…. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children…. And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings. For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD. Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart. My people ask counsel at their stocks [idols], and their staff [idols] declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God” (Hosea 4:1,6,9-12).

“They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD. And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them” (Hosea 5:4,5).

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

I Will Love Them Freely #5

Friday, June 6, 2025

“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him” (Hosea 14:4 KJV).

Behold, the LORD God’s free love for the nation Israel!

Earlier in Hosea (4:17), “Ephraim is joined to idols”—and God wanted that Northern Kingdom to be left alone in that pagan idolatry they desired. They would soon face judgment under the Assyrian Captivity (as in 2 Kings 17:1-23). As Hosea’s Book draws to a close now, however, Ephraim has a believing remnant (especially in the ages to come) confessing and forsaking that foolish sin of idolatry of their forefathers. Hosea 14:8 reads: “Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.” “Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God” (Ezekiel 37:23).

“And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi [husband]; and shalt call me no more Baali [my lord]. For I will take away the names of Baalim [idols] out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name” (Hosea 2:16,17). Ephraim’s idols could not hear, for they were dead and deaf, but the living LORD has heard and saved Ephraim (cf. Psalm 115:1-11). The evergreen fir tree (Hosea 14:8) symbolizes that living LORD as the answer to Israel’s spiritual and functional death. Again, Israel is seen prospering in God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic kingdom. Israel’s model prayer is thus, Matthew 6:9-13: “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

We reach the final verse of Hosea now….

I Will Love Them Freely #4

Thursday, June 5, 2025

“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him” (Hosea 14:4 KJV).

Behold, the LORD God’s free love for the nation Israel!

JEHOVAH God continues talking in verse 5: “I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.” The imagery is figurative, of course, but a literal truth is nevertheless conveyed. Heathen idolatry rendered the nation Israel spiritually dead and functionally dead, separated from the Creator’s life and totally unable to accomplish His will in the Earth. With New Covenant blessings (as in Jeremiah 31:31-34 or Ezekiel 36:25-38), Israel thrives, matures, and blossoms like a plant receiving sufficient rainfall, sunlight, and nutrients. Observe the reference to the cedars of “Lebanon”—the most prized Middle Eastern trees!

Psalm 1:1-3 is such a saint who belongs to that Jewish believing remnant: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Now, Hosea 14:6: “His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.” Israel is as a strong, massive tree—deriving life from the LORD God and His words of life. The ugliness of sin has given way to the attractiveness of righteousness. Enjoying access to God means the nation Israel now emits a wonderful or pleasant odor to the LORD, as the cedars of “Lebanon!”

Consider verse 7: “They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.” This “shadow” is protection with Israel (as in Song of Solomon 2:3 or Ezekiel 31:6). The “vine” is national Israel in the LORD, able to bear spiritual fruit (John 15:1-8; cf. Isaiah 5:1-7; Hosea 10:1) for all the nations to be blessed (Zechariah 8:20-23)….

I Will Love Them Freely #3

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him” (Hosea 14:4 KJV).

Behold, the LORD God’s free love for the nation Israel!

Israel’s believing remnant is in verses 1-3. God replies to their confession with the “mercy” or compassion of today’s Scripture: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.” “Backsliding” is a retreat, turning away or turning back, apostatizing. Israel moved away from the LORD and went back to sin (idols).

“The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot…. Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever…. Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:…” (Jeremiah 3:6,12,14,22).

“For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place” (Hosea 4:16). “And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him” (Hosea 11:7). In today’s Scripture, the LORD promises to “heal” this backsliding, bring it to an end. He also affirms He will “love them freely,” willingly and plentifully. They have been rotten sinners—unlovely, unloving, hateful people who worshipped and served idols in place of the one true God who delivered them from Egyptian bondage.

In today’s Scripture, His anger toward Israel is now turned away, the curses of the Law (punishments for disobedience) have now been brought to pass. “In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer” (Isaiah 54:8). Now, as Hosea sees it, come Kingdom blessings….

I Will Love Them Freely #2

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him” (Hosea 14:4 KJV).

Behold, the LORD God’s free love for the nation Israel!

Start at verse 1: “O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.” This appeal to “return unto the LORD” loops back to the opening of the Book: “The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD” (Hosea 1:2). “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;…” (Isaiah 53:6). Having departed from JEHOVAH God to worship and serve idols, committing a most iniquitous (“not right”) deed, Israel is now exhorted to return to Him (Hosea 14:1).

Verse 2 now: “Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.” Here is the formula or pattern of words Israel’s believing remnant is to speak in faith. They confess their sins as per the Law of Moses (Leviticus 26:40), then seek the LORD’S deliverance from those very sins. It is their desire to be in fellowship with God again, that He accept them “graciously” (they do not deserve such favor). Instead of animal sacrifices, they offer the words of their lips! “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:15,16).

Going to Hosea 14:3: “Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.” “Asshur” is Assyria, a Gentile nation northeast of the Land of Palestine. Israel sees her help is not in military might or heathen idols, but in “Our Father which art in heaven….”

I Will Love Them Freely #1

Monday, June 2, 2025

“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him” (Hosea 14:4 KJV).

Behold, the LORD God’s free love for the nation Israel!

Hosea is a Book of opposites and extremes. In its 14 chapters, we read about both boundless sin and righteousness, man’s wretchedness and God’s goodness. On one hand, there is wrath and curses; on the other, there is grace and blessings. As we see, the final chapter of Hosea is an example of the Book as a whole.

Read today’s Scripture in context: “[1] O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. [2] Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. [3] Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.

“[4] I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. [5] I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. [6] His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. [7] They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.

“[8] Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. [9] Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.”

Let us devote a period to expositing these words of the Holy Spirit through Hosea, so as to see “time past” and “the ages to come” as this Prophet narrates them….

The Greatest War Hero

Monday, May 26, 2025

“For God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 KJV).

In the United States, today is Memorial Day, when we remember those who sacrificed their time and lives to provide our physical freedom. Likewise, as Christians, we have spiritual freedom, which was more costly. Someone had to die to give us the eternal life we now enjoy….

Scripture describes a spiritual warfare between good and evil, God’s truth program versus Satan’s lie program: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes] of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:11,12; see also verses 13-20).

Satan distracts mankind from God’s pure Word, the Bible, keeping unbelievers lost (dead in their sins), and preventing unbelievers and Christians from knowing God’s will. The devil draws them away (seduces them) from God’s Word by using religious tradition and human “wisdom” (1 Timothy 4:1-3; cf. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Galatians 3:1-3).

God loves us, so at Calvary’s cross, Christ fought for us sinners, died in battle (today’s Scripture), shed His divine sinless blood, and eternally rescued us from Satan and sin: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:14,15).

Hebrews 9:12 says Jesus Christ has “obtained eternal redemption for us.”

If we have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). Now, God can use us for His glory for all eternity.

Beloved, let us rejoice in our victory over sin, death, and hell that Jesus Christ secured for us by going to Calvary’s rugged cross! Jesus Christ is now alive forevermore—He is our Hero, the Greatest Hero!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study “The Greatest Hero,” which can be read here or watched here.

Reaping and Sowing #2

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7 KJV).

Let us not be ignorant brethren concerning the concept of “reaping and sowing!”

Today’s Scripture echoes an expression—“Be not deceived”—found numerous times in the Bible. Sometimes, it is verbatim, word-for-word. Other times, the exact phraseology is absent, but the overall concept is still communicated. For instance, Jeremiah 17:9 tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Our sinful heart we inherited from Adam leans to its own understanding, making its own rules and believing whatever it sees fit. Having an over-inflated view of itself, it is doubtless untrustworthy!

One way the human heart deceives is with respect to reaping and sowing, so the Holy Spirit made absolutely certain to preface today’s Scripture with, “Be not deceived.” It is extremely easy to have a mistaken impression or wrong idea about reaping and sowing. Perhaps we assume we got away with what we did. Maybe we believe our sowing will be inconsequential. Perchance we think we will reap good when we have sown bad.

The other words, “God is not mocked,” necessitate clarification. Someone in unbelief turns up the nose to scorn or make fun, saying, in effect, “God, I will not reap what I have sown! I can dodge or escape ‘for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap!’ It will not come to pass in my life!” Unfortunately, for that mocker, it is but self-deception, and his or her words carry no real weight. “God is not mocked.”

God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat, for they would surely die if they did eat (Genesis 2:16,17). They did not believe God, they ate, and death came—first spiritual (separation from God) and then physical (soul and spirit separated from physical body) (Genesis 3:1-8; Genesis 5:1-5). The wickedness of man was so extreme in the Earth that nearly all perished in the Great Flood (Genesis 6:1-8; Genesis 7:21-24). Abraham and Sarah supposed they could “help God out” with bringing about the promised son, Isaac, but their scheme just produced a competing son, Ishmael, with much ensuing heartache (Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 16:1-16; Genesis 17:15-22; Genesis 21:1-11).

Let us see other biblical examples of reaping and sowing….

Out of the Depths!

Sunday, May 18, 2025

“Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications” (Psalm 130:1,2 KJV).

The Psalmist has cried out, and the LORD will hear!

Psalm 130 is known as the “Out of the Depths” Psalm. The Psalmist feels extreme pain in upsetting circumstances. He thus wails in prayer: “[A Song of degrees.] Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications” (today’s Scripture).

In verses 3 and 4, he keeps praying: “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.” If the LORD took time to pay close attention to and point out “iniquities” (injustices, evils, sins, crookedness), He would strike everyone down. No one would be left to continue! Thankfully, however, with Him, there is “forgiveness” (pardon, a sending away of the sin debt). He should therefore be feared—respected, honored, reverenced.

By the time of verses 5 and 6, the Psalmist reveals his optimism, the grounds that the LORD will hear his prayer: “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.” He is a man of faith, expecting the LORD to keep His word, just as in Psalm 119:81: “My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.” Waiting for the Lord here is like someone eagerly anticipating sunrise after suffering a long, unpleasant night.

The Psalmist exhorts Israel to follow his pattern in the final two verses, verses 7 and 8: “Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” As in Psalm 131:3, Israel should put their hope in the LORD, where are “mercy” (pity, compassion, lovingkindness) and “plenteous redemption” (abundant buying back from sin). The LORD will redeem Israel from all iniquities at Christ’s Second Coming and the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Acts 3:19-21; Romans 11:25-27), to which the Psalmist ultimately looks.

Mother: A Virtuous Woman

Sunday, May 11, 2025

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10 KJV).

Today is Mother’s Day, so we dedicate this devotional to godly women (specifically mothers). I especially dedicate this to the virtuous woman who has been in my life for almost 37 years… my mom!

Today’s Scripture is the first verse of the Bible’s “Virtuous Woman” passage (Proverbs 31:10-31). King Solomon explained that the virtuous woman:

  • has a husband who safely trusts in her (verses 11,12).
  • is not lazy, but is strong because she works to feed and clothe her family and herself (verses 13-19,21,22,24,25,27).
  • pities the poor and needy (verse 20).
  • has a husband who is well-known because of her godly lifestyle (verse 23).
  • opens her mouth with wisdom, and speaks kindly and lovingly (verse 26).
  • has children and a husband who praise her (verse 28).
  • excels in what she does (verse 29).
  • has works that praise her (verse 31).

Verse 30 explains the virtuous woman is “a woman that feareth the LORD.”

The Apostle Paul wrote that godly women should: not slander/gossip, not be controlled by alcohol and emotions (sober minded), be teachers of good things, love their husbands and children, be cautious and modest, maintain the home, be “good,” and should obey (respect) their husbands… “that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5). A Christian woman, especially a mother, should be a virtuous woman in beliefs as well as in deed. She needs to set an example for her children (especially her daughters).

A Christian woman and/or Christian mother places her faith in this sound Bible doctrine, the indwelling Holy Spirit will then take that doctrine and transform her for God’s glory (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Her mind will be renewed by sound Bible doctrine, and that will transform her outward activity (Romans 12:1,2).

Are you a Christian woman or Christian mother who desires to be the woman God intends you to be in Christ Jesus? Place your faith in this sound Bible doctrine, and God will take care of the rest!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO OUR READERS WHO ARE MOTHERS!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

Archived: “What does the Bible say about motherhood?”