First Comes Love - Day 28
Day 28 - Wednesday, May 15
Read Hosea 3
Highlight
Love is an action. Love is costly. Verse 1 God commands Hosea to “go, show love to your wife” and immediately he “bought her for…” (v. 2). It is not meant in a demeaning way, it is a literal action of his wife caught up in adultery and prostitution for him to have to “buy her out.” But he does, not just because God commanded, but because God had transformed his understanding of forgiveness and love. Hosea understood that love must go above and beyond for the other person, and that boundaries are needed. While Hosea purchases and loves his wife, he also restores their marriage by setting boundaries; “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you (v. 3).” Both love and boundaries are foundational for relationships.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Hosea 3
Highlight
Love is an action. Love is costly. Verse 1 God commands Hosea to “go, show love to your wife” and immediately he “bought her for…” (v. 2). It is not meant in a demeaning way, it is a literal action of his wife caught up in adultery and prostitution for him to have to “buy her out.” But he does, not just because God commanded, but because God had transformed his understanding of forgiveness and love. Hosea understood that love must go above and beyond for the other person, and that boundaries are needed. While Hosea purchases and loves his wife, he also restores their marriage by setting boundaries; “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you (v. 3).” Both love and boundaries are foundational for relationships.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Posted in First Comes Love