Daily Devotion

Selection Taken From:
A Year with God by R.P. Nettelhorst

Make this the year you let God's Word "dwell in you richly"---and marvel at the results! Each entry in this 365-day devotional features Scripture verses in which God speaks, accompanied by insights and applications to enhance your understanding. Learn what God says about hope and fear; perseverance and quitting; companionship and isolation; and more! 384 pages, softcover from Nelson, Copyright 2010.


A Fresh Start
"Here's what I'm going to do: I'm going to start all over again.
I'm taking her back out into the wilderness where we had our first date, and I'll court her.
I'll give her bouquets of roses. I'll turn Heartbreak Valley into Acres of Hope.
She'll respond like she did as a young girl, those days when she was fresh out of Egypt.
"At that time"—this is GOD'S Message still— "you'll address me, 'Dear husband!'
Never again will you address me, 'My slave- master!'
I'll wash your mouth out with soap, get rid of all the dirty false-god names, not so much as a whisper of those names again.
At the same time I'll make a peace treaty between you and wild animals and birds and reptiles, and get rid of all weapons of war.
Think of it! Safe from beasts and bullies!
And then I'll marry you for good—forever!
I'll marry you true and proper, in love and tenderness.
Yes, I'll marry you and neither leave you nor let you go.
You'll know me, GOD, for who I really am.
"On the very same day, I'll answer"—this is GOD'S Message—"I'll answer the sky, sky will answer earth, earth will answer grain and wine and olive oil, and they'll all answer Jezreel.
I'll plant her in the good earth. I'll have mercy on No-Mercy.
I'll say to Nobody, 'You're my dear Somebody,'and he'll say 'You're my God!'" - Hosea 2:14-23 MSG

God wanted to rekindle the spark that had gone out of his relationship with Israel. Despite Israel's infidelity with all the other gods and goddesses, God was willing to make a fresh start of it. He intended to sweep Israel off her feet once more, just as he had once done years before in those heady days when he rescued the Israelites from the slave masters of Egypt.

Jezreel in Hebrew means "God sows." Jezreel was the place where Jehu killed the priests, prophets, and followers of the false god Baal. God hoped it meant that Israel would finally turn to him and turn away from all the make-believe false gods.

Hosea's relationship with his prostitute wife, Gomer, served as the picture of what was going on between God and Israel. Hosea forgave Gomer's adultery. God forgave Israel's idolatry. The people of Israel meant more to God than the pain they had caused.